Community Corner

Libertyville Businesses Raise Awareness, Funds for Pancreatic Cancer in Memory of Local Man

Peter Pekkarinen died earlier this year of pancreatic cancer and his family and local business are holding an event "Women of Broadway Fight Pancreatic Cancer" on Wednesday, Nov. 14.

Pancreatic cancer has become one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.  It stands out among other commonly diagnosed cancers with only a five-year survival rate of six percent.

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, a non-profit organization. Businesses in downtown Libertyville have come together to help raise awareness and funds to help in the fight against Pancreatic Cancer in honor of a local resident, Peter Pekkarinen who lost his life to this awful disease on March 1, 2012.

Please join the fight and help raise funds for the event "Women of Broadway Fight Pancreatic Cancer" planned from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14 starting at Viva Le Vine Wine Bar, 338 Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Viva Le Vine will donate 20 percent of sales to the event.

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All proceeds will go to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in Pekkarien's name.

Pekkarinen was a life long resident of Waukegan. He graduated from Waukegan High School in 1965 and attended Illinois State University where he achieved a degree in education. Pekkarinen retired from Antioch Community High School in 2003, after 33 years of service as a dedicated teacher of mathematics and drivers education.

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During his career at Antioch, he was not only known for his teaching but also for the several administrative positions he held. However, teaching students was his passion and what he loved best.

Outside of his career, Pekkarinen spent his life devoted to being a loving son, husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather.  He was married for 41 years to his wife, Linda (Jenkins) Pekkarinen. Together the couple raised two children, Andrew (Drew) and Dana.  Spending time with family and friends was his favorite pastime and something he always put first in his life.

Pekkarinen's family wants to help raise awareness for pancreatic cancer as well as the funds needed for continued research on this deadly disease.  It is the family’s hope that someday other families will not have to suffer the loss of a loved one to this cancer.

Please join the fight and help raise funds for the event "Women of Broadway Fight Pancreatic Cancer."

Several downtown businesses will also be participating in this event:

        334 N. Milwaukee Ave.

        The salon will donate 50 percent of each color treatment or color extension.

  • Each of these businesses will donate 10 percent of every purchase to the event:

        Buss Flowers

        322 N. Milwaukee Ave.

        Christine Anne COUTURE

        324 N. Milwaukee Ave.

        Full DisClothesure

        330 N. Milwaukee Ave.

        How Impressive!

  • French Nail

        336 N. Milwaukee Ave.

        The salon will donate $1 of every nail colored.

Additionally, there will be a raffle/silent auction featuring Chicago Bulls tickets, massages, gift cards to local business and more. Artists @ Heart will offer children's projects for $5 to $10. Please come out to join us in this fight! Donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in Peter's name can also be made online.


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