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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to congratulate the Bear Necessities 
4Foundation on the occasion of its 30th anniversary; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, In 1992, Bear Necessities was founded by Kathleen 
6A. Casey following the death of her son, Barrett "Bear" Krupa, 
7who passed away after fighting pediatric cancer for  
8five-and-a-half years; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Kathleen Casey discussed creating Bear 
10Necessities with her eight-year-old son during his courageous 
11battle with Wilms Tumor, when he expressed concern for other 
12pediatric cancer patients, showing more concern for others 
13than for himself; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, Bear Necessities was born from the need of 
15patients and their families for support above and beyond 
16standard medical care; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, Bear Necessities, through its Bear Hug program, 
18partners with families to make children's dreams come true 
19through a close network of friends, donors, and volunteers; 
20and
  
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Bear Necessities' work is scientifically backed 
2to produce better psychosocial outcomes for children with 
3cancer, inspiring children to build the strength to cope with 
4their illnesses; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Bear Necessities provides patients receiving MIBG 
6radiation treatment with room decorations, soft blankets, 
7toys, and more to be more comfortable and happy while 
8receiving treatment; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Bear Discoveries works in tandem to create a 
10world without pediatric cancer, partnering with Alex's 
11Lemonade Stand Foundation to support pediatric cancer 
12research; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Since its partnership began in 2022, Bear 
14Necessities has contributed $200,000 to Alex's Lemonade Stand 
15Foundation to make a greater impact in the search for a cure to 
16pediatric cancer; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, Bear Necessities also provides financial relief 
18to families who qualify for Bear Hugs, partners members of 
19their Young Professionals Board with Bear Hug recipients to 
20cheer them on in their fight against cancer, offers activities 
21in the Chicagoland for their families, offers counseling in 
22partnership with SamaraCare Counseling, and offers Hope 
 
 
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1Education Scholarships to provide those touched by pediatric 
2cancer with hope for a brighter future; and
  
 
3    WHEREAS, Bear Necessities, from its Chicago headquarters 
4to its Florida chapter in southwest Florida, achieves its 
5mission in helping kids rediscover their childhood while a 
6cure is sought for pediatric cancer; therefore, be it
  
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
8HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
9we congratulate the Bear Necessities Foundation on its 30th 
10anniversary, and we commend the foundation for its honorable 
11mission in giving children fighting pediatric cancer the 
12precious gift of a childhood; and be it further
  
 
13    RESOLVED, That we continue to walk with children and 
14families affected by the tragedy and difficulty of pediatric 
15cancer, and  we continue to work towards a world with a cure for 
16pediatric cancer; and be it further
  
 
17    RESOLVED, That we congratulate Bear Necessities Pediatric 
18Cancer Foundation CEO Kate Tillotson and founder Kathleen A. 
19Casey for helping children with pediatric cancer in the 
20Chicagoland and southwestern Florida communities for 30 years, 
21and we thank them for all they do to fight for a world where no 
22child is touched by pediatric cancer; and be it further
  
 
 
 
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1    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
2presented to Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation CEO 
3Kate Tillotson and founder Kathleen A. Casey as an expression 
4of our esteem and respect.