Woman commits her life to raise money for cancer research

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (WTXF) - After her father died of leukemia, Judy Willner has committed her life to cancer fundraising and research.

Willner remembers her father fondly. She said he was the most wonderful, generous, kindest man you would ever want to meet. She never thought he would leave her so soon.

"It was a Tuesday night, I remember it like yesterday, it was 1982. We walked into the kitchen, my parents were crying my Dad had just been diagnose that day with leukemia….wanted him in the hospital that night…...he was dead eight days later," Willner says.

From that day Willner was committed to doing something to fight the awful disease. She raised funds, spread awareness and later as a teacher met a young woman named Deanna battling leukemia.

"Deanna use to stop by my office and we got very friendly. One day she said to me Miss I wanna write a book to help other kids going through Leukemia," said Willner.

Together they created and sold "How my Son got its smile." A book which is still available and raising money for cancer research.

Willner says Deanna has been Cancer free since she has known her and it is because of Deanna that Willner got involved with Leukemia and Lymphoma society.

Willner even asked FOX 29's Bill Anderson to join her team as she competes for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society woman of the year. Anderson was happy to join in especially when Willner explained what the competition was all about.

"I'm doing this really so other kids don't go through Cancer, other parents don't watch their children going through Cancer, daughters don't lose their fathers, mothers, siblings."

Ultimately the competition is finding the most creative ways to raise money for cancer research. No matter who wins, all of the money goes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society but also has a personal impact on Willner.

"If I raised fifty thousand dollars I would get a medical research project named for anyone I wanted," says Willner.

In this case her father but she didn't want to stop there.

Willner adds, "I wanted another 50, I wanted one hundred so Deanna would get a research project."

Cancer is a horrible disease that impacts too many. Whether you donate to Willner's team or one of the others please consider a donation no matter how small and hopefully in the very near future there will be no more stories like Willner's father or perhaps yours for goodness sake.

If you would like to donate to Bill Anderson's team: http://pages.mwoy.org/epa/philly18/banderson