Pamela PONTIKIS & KATIE ISadore PAMELA GREW UP IN Chicago, IS MARRIED TO GEORGE AND IS MOTHER TO A BOY & GIRL Ages 8 & 6 • KATIE HAILS FROM MARYLAND, IS MARRIED TO MIKE AND IS MOTHER TO THREE GIRLS AGES 8, 6 & 3
Hinsdale's Katie Isadore and Pamela Pontikis are wrapping up last-minute tasks in advance of Saturday's Wellness House Ball.
"We're expecting around 500 people in attendance," said Isadore, co-chair with Pontikis of the cancer support organization's annual fundraiser. "I feel like we're in a really good place."
Perhaps their wisest move was forming a committee early to amplify their work by reaching out to the members' own respective networks.
"It's about sharing the mission of Wellness and all of the amazing services that they provide to cancer patients and their families in the Chicagoland area," Isadore said.
Pontikis cited the passing of her father from lung cancer five years ago and subsequent response by her mother to find fellowship among other surviving loved ones at Wellness House as the catalyst for her own connection to the agency.
"It was life-changing for her," Pontikis said. "It's become a very important piece of our family dynamic."
It also inspired her friend Isadore to go from a regular ball attendee to assuming the job of helping coordinate this year's event, with the theme "Hope Grows."
"It was incredibly touching to know that there are services not only for people going through cancer but also bereavement groups," Isadore said. "It has provided so much emotional support to help (families) ease the burden of their cancer journey."
Isadore, who works in technology sales, and Pontikis, with a career in telecom engineering, have full schedules between their professions' demands and keeping up with their young children's various pursuits.
"We are in the thick of sports season, so I like to take my children to their practices and their games," said Pontikis, a five-year resident of Hinsdale, adding that they're also active at their church.
Isadore, who's lived in the village for seven years, said family time is precious.
"Whether that's making pizzas in the backyard or picnics in the front yard," she said. "Anything that's not in front of screens and good old-fashioned family fun."
Both of their husbands have been invaluable partners in the ball planning effort, they emphasized, and Pontikis takes heart that her kids witness the philanthropic work.
"It's been really special to share the mission with our children and our families. As they see us working hard on it, they want to know more about it. And I think it's great to get them involved at such a young age," she said.
Isadore said she's been amazed to learn of the more than 50,000 lives impacted by Wellness House thanks to the generosity of donors.
"I didn't realize that every service that Wellness provides is free, to help ease the side effects and burdens of going through chemo or radiation," Isadore commented, noting the agency offers support in Hinsdale and underserved communities.
Pontikis and Isadore consider Wellness House a cause they'll always make time for.
"No matter what I have on my plate, I can always do more and give more because I know it's helping people going through such a difficult time in their lives," Isadore said. "I hope that we raise the most money to get the most services for the most people."
- story by Ken Knutson, photo by Jim Slonoff
