Suburban Chicago teacher battling cancer receives check for 12 months of mortgage
ORLAND PARK, Ill. (CBS) -- A south suburban teacher got the surprise of her life Wednesday in the form of a check to pay a year's worth of her mortgage.
The check was presented to Julie Drew during the Winter Sing Concert at the Arnold W. Kruse Education Center, at 7617 Hemlock Dr. in Orland Park. There was not advance notice, and many were wondering why CBS News Chicago had come for the event.
"Nobody knows what's going to be happening," said Kruse Education career building professional Gail North.
As 400 students gathered for the winter assembly, Drew sat in the crowd. She had no idea the assembly was all for her either.
"In my mind, I thought, God, that's going to be a lot of prep to get together, and it is to going to happen?" North said. "And here we are today, and it's happening."
A few months ago, North and other teachers created a GoFundMe for Drew—because she is battling stage 3 ovarian cancer for the second time. Drew learned about the cancer right after buying a townhome.
"So it was really awful timing, but you know, she's such a strong person—and again, just wanted to continue to work and be here." said Kruse Education Center Principal Kim Hartnett.
North said Dowling Legacy and Retirement out of Orland Park reached out and asked the school to nominate Drew to receive a donation from the business.
The firm works in partnership with the Gradient Gives Back Foundation, a group that partners with financial services professionals to provide housing payment relief for families facing hardship.
"I didn't think it was going to get as big as it is," North said.
It was a big donation. Dowling Legacy and Retirement presented $26,400 check that will pay for Drew's 12 month-mortgage.
"Nervous about doing, you know, the mortgage by myself, so this is such an amazing gift that my kids and I can feel safe and comfortable," Drew said, "and the school has been phenomenal. I feel like every single day, they're doing something new a different for me."
Drew said this will be a December to remember—and was grateful to the principal.
"Having that relationship with her, and having that just caring and nurturing boss during this, makes a world of a difference," she said.
Drew has two more rounds of treatment and is hopeful she will be cancer-free.