Mokena Woman, Son Selected As Champions For Cancer Charity

MOKENA, IL — Meggan Mikkal, a Mokena resident and board member of The Colon Club, and her son Andrew, were named 2020 champions by Champions for Cures, a nonprofit that raises money for the fight against cancer.

Each year, the proceeds raised by Champions for Cures are designated by the annually elected champion to be used in support of families fighting cancer and research into cures.

In 2017, Mikkal's husband, Andy, was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. He died in September 2017, eight months after his diagnosis.

Mikkal, who is a pediatric palliative care nurse practitioner, joined the Board of Directors for The Colon Club, to contribute her experience and perspective and to share her husband's message of empowerment for everyone to be the best version of themselves, even on the hardest days, the organization said.

Andy also made advocacy and raising awareness about colorectal cancer in young adulthood his passion, according to the Champions for Cures website.

Mikkal said she first became involved with The Colon Club through a friend, who thought it would be a good support system for her.

"I was so honored to have both my Andy's, my late husband and our son, nominated and recognized for their bravery and strength," she told Patch. "But also bittersweet in that Andy, my late husband, was not physically present to be acknowledged for his fight and advocacy work. It gave me more motivation to continue the great work that Andy started with awareness of colorectal cancer in young adulthood."

Phuong Gallagher, the President of The Colon Club said, “It takes an entire community to support our patients, and to push for the cure. Meggan has been a tremendous addition to our Board of Directors, and we are grateful that Champions for Cures has selected her as this year’s champion."

The Colon Club accepted a donation from Champions for Cures in Andy's memory in March, during a driveway party and check presentation. The organization said the donation will allow members of The Colon Club to continue partnering with the research community in advancements toward a cure.

The Colon Club is a nonprofit that focuses on raising awareness, educating and helping patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer under the age of 45.