Gurnee’s Heidi May
Odie
Pahl
You have heard the
saying, if you are given lemons, make lemonade. Well, Heidi May, Gurnee’s Own,
did just that in some very important ways. Diagnosed with breast cancer, not
once but twice, she found those experiences to be a call for action that
continues 14 years later. On July 13th, the Relay for Life
Gurnee/Wadsworth will once again honor the survivors and caretakers of this
equal opportunity disease and remember the ones who fought hard, but lost their
lives. Heidi is responsible for bringing the 12 hour event to Gurnee and will
be walking laps just like she has every year since its inception. However, her
community involvement does not stop there and this is why.
Heidi May grew up in
the area, attended Warren Township High School, married a local guy, and raised
her son and daughter in Gurnee. In 1999, just a couple of days after her 35th
birthday she discovered a lump in her breast. Her doctor wanted to watch it
since it was very small to see if it got larger or it was really something
serious. Heidi wanted a referral to a specialist for a biopsy. Thank goodness, her
determination prevailed; they found she had Stage Three Breast Cancer and
recommended a mastectomy and chemo therapy. Her need for a quick response
probably saved her life and certainly became the impetus for her healthy
recovery.
There was a clinical trial
for a new drug and she was accepted. Although she had a severe reaction to the
chemo and was almost pulled out of the study, she told the doctor, “to figure
out how to get them in me” believing it was her best option. “All I could think
about was my second grader and kindergartener and that I needed to watch them grow
up”. Losing her hair, she felt like a cancer patient for the first time. Before
then, “I was just me”, but after hearing her son reprimand someone, “it is not
nice to stare at my mom”, reality set in.
Her last treatment was
in June, 2000 and she was invited to participate in the Relay for Life in
Libertyville. Sitting at one of the sites, with her bandana covering her still
bald head, someone came over to her and asked if she wanted to join in the
survivor activities? “I am not sure I am a survivor yet”, replied an ever-practical
Heidi and she was reassured she was indeed. Still weak, she did not make it
through the night, but the next year with family, friends, and a group of staff
members from Spaulding School in Gurnee in tow, she finished the night
triumphantly.
Her group of supporters
was convinced that a relay was needed in Gurnee and Heidi was the one to make
it happen. Once again rising to the occasion, she made it a reality. “All I
wanted to do was what that one person did for me at my first Relay…tell them
they are most definitely a survivor and let’s celebrate your life”. Besides,
all the work it took to bring the Relay to Gurnee and make it successful, Heidi
ran for President of the D56 PTO and won. “I was given this second chance and I
better make the most of it”.
In 2004, just a couple
days before the Relay, biopsy results indicated she had breast cancer for the
second time. During the same period, Heidi turned 40 and was almost at her
all-important five year anniversary being cancer free. Instead she had a second
mastectomy and reconstructive surgery on both breasts. She confided in her
husband, Curt, who is her “rock” that she was so disappointed in her body and not
making her important milestone. With the help of her loved ones, she made it
through Relay and even a surprise celebration. She was back on track.
Heidi May chaired five
or six Relays, co-chaired or was on a committee for the rest. She was honored
three years ago at Relay for her good works and in 2010 was given the
Distinguished Leadership Award by the American Cancer Society. Her daughter is
active in her college’s Relay for Life and will be a co-chair next year making
this a family legacy. Unbelievably, Gurnee’s Relay has raised over a million
dollars, which was possible because of Heidi, family and friends. Yet, she
wasn’t done there.
When Gurnee School
District 56 needed help passing a referendum for a much needed school building,
Heidi again stepped up. She worked tirelessly on committees, strategic planning
groups, and eventually ran for the school board. She was the president for the
last five years until she retired in May, 2013. Giving her time to community
organizations, successfully sending her children off to college, and sharing
time with family and a large network of friends, she also remains a sounding
board for others going through a diagnosis of cancer. “I always try to help
ease fears or answer questions as much as possible”.
When it was suggested
that an article should be done about her, Heidi hesitated talking about herself
or her volunteer efforts. However, rethinking her stance, she realized that her
message was an important one to get out there. She said, “I am one of the lucky
ones, my treatments worked and I was given another chance. I am not fond of
attention on me, but I want cancer survivors and caregivers to remember they
are not alone. I have gotten more involved in the community, because I feel
like I was given a second chance, another opportunity to make a difference.”
Lemons, make them
lemonade. Words to live by…
