Patty was a schoolteacher for 28 years, a wife for 20 years, and a mother for 17 years. In 2008, she became involved with the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and participated as both a crew member and walker. She always felt a deep bond to this charity and was committed to doing her part to help others affected by this disease.

 

Yearly check ups and mammograms were always a part of her routine.

In March 2011, her mammogram came back clear. Nine months later, through a self–exam, she found a lump and immediately scheduled a visit to see the doctor. Tests and a biopsy were conducted, and on December 23rd the results confirmed that she had stage 3 triple negative breast cancer. The mass was approximately nine centimeters and had spread to the lymph nodes.

 

Chemotherapy began in January 2012 with a series of four treatments every two weeks, followed by fourteen weekly treatments thereafter, which ended in June. In July, of that year Patty had a double mastectomy and removal of 30 lymph nodes. The rest of the summer was spent recuperating. Radiation began in August 2012 and ended on October 2012, and her reconstructive surgery was scheduled for June 2013.

 

Many family members and friends wanted to help in any way possible.  Patty's sister developed a schedule for meals, driving Patty to chemotherapy and picking up Patty's son, Dominic, from school.  The schedule filled up so quickly that people were on a waiting list to help.  Patty's family had meals Monday through Friday from January to June. Her husband, Scott, would come home from work each day to warm up the wonderful dinners that were prepared, take care of the house, their son and Patty. With each dinner that was delivered, also came notes, flowers and gifts.  It was quite amazing and at times overwhelming with the support they received.

 

As indicated earlier, Patty was involved in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer since 2008. Her motivation was to help others affected by this disease. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would be affected by breast cancer.

 

In July 2014, the triple negative breast cancer came back, and spread to her bones. Open ended chemotherapy started in August, and continued through 2015 as well.

 

On February 14, 2016, we lost our Patty to this awful disease, but know she would want us to keep the fight for a cure going.

 

Scott, Dominic and all of our family and friends plan to fundraise for Patty’s Pals Foundation LTD, and continue our efforts to beat this horrible disease.

 

Our hope is that you would donate to our foundation because finding a cure is PRICELESS!

 

Patty's Pals was created in the winter of 2011, when our Patty, Patricia Kraegel, was diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative breast cancer.  That following March was our first annual spaghetti dinner with 80 attendees at the Bartlett Fire Barn. The funds raised from this event generously funded two walkers for The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Chicago, June 2012. Patty and her family had been very active in the Avon Walk Chicago for many years prior as crew members and walkers, to support a very dear friend and her two daughters who are breast cancer survivors.

 

In 2013, Team Patty's Pals came together again to celebrate that Patty was cancer free after a grueling year of chemotherapy, radiation, and a double mastectomy. That year our event grew to 110 attendees, where funds raised were donated once again to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Chicago. Team Patty's Pals also grew to 5 walkers for 39 miles in 2 days.

 

As we continued to count Patty's blessings and the popularity of our Spaghetti Dinner grew, Patty's Pals reached another milestone in 2014. That year, we formed Patty's Pals Foundation LTD, a not-for-profit corporation 501(c)(3) #47-1215637. Also that year, our fundraising luncheon grew to 150 attendees. In July 2014, Patty's breast cancer came back and had spread to her bones. Patty began chemotherapy treatment immediately, fighting valiantly and tirelessly.

 

The 3rd Annual Spaghetti Dinner was another huge success with 200 attendees. Patty's Pals Foundation LTD decided to expand our efforts to support nonprofit organizations that aid in research for cancer prevention, services, improved care and support to those who are fighting this disease by supporting the following organizations:

 

• Avon 39 Chicago
• Michael Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation
• Cal's All-Star Angels Foundation for Pediatric Cancer
• Ronald McDonald House for Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois