Community Corner

Fundraiser Aids Glen Ellyn Mom Recovering from Stroke

The event Tuesday night will be held at Shannon's Irish Pub and will benefit the family of Amy Kaminski

Updated: Dec. 11, 9:30 a.m. 

A special event is being held Tuesday night at Shannon’s Irish Pub to rally around the family of a Glen Ellyn wife and mother, who suffered an ischemic stroke in October.

Friends and family of Amy Kaminski planned the event and the funds raised will be used to defray medical bills and help with other costs the family has incurred since Kaminski was hospitalized on Oct. 11.

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An ischemic stroke happens when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain becomes blocked.

Kaminski, 41, a mother of three, is back at home with her husband Steve and three children, but her vision and fine motor skills are impaired. She is unable to do many activities, such as drive, and the family now requires assistance to get Kaminski to doctor appointments, as well as get their youngest daughter, who has Down syndrome to weekly therapy sessions, according to a news release.

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She is an active member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, a PTA member at both Abraham Lincoln Elementary School where her sons, Daniel and Michael are students and she also volunteers at Forest Glen Elementary School where her daughter Kate is a student, Gowans said.

"We all decided to put together a fundraising event as it would bring all of Amy's friends and family together to celebrate her recovery all while helping the family adjust to the recent life changes and financial burdens they are experiencing due to her recent stroke," said Carrie Gowans, one of Amy's friends and one of the event planners. "The family also has suffered with the loss of Amy's father the week prior to her stroke and her mother a couple of years ago. Amy has also had previous health issues in the past two years."

The hope is the event will raise about $750 from the various raffles and items for sale at the event, Gowans said. About 75 to 100 people are expected to attend. 

The event will include:

The Holiday Fundraiser for Amy Kaminski will be held from 7 to 11 p.m., Dec. 11 at Shannon’s Irish Pub.

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