MUNSTER – Good neighbors Tom and Sue Krygsheld believe in taking care of their own and paying it forward along the way. During the month of October, the Krygshelds held a fundraiser to honor their employee Shelley DeYoung, a breast cancer survivor. A portion of the proceeds from Illiana Heating & Air Conditioning’s service calls were set aside to help other women benefit from early detection of breast cancer.

Five years after treatment, St. John resident DeYoung credits her recovery, in part, on her healthcare team at Community Hospital, the Women’s Diagnostic Center, and support from her employers – Illiana Heating and Air Conditioning. On behalf of their fundraising efforts, St. John’s Illiana Heating and Air Conditioning general manager Kevin Frump has presented a $4,295 check to Mary Nicholson, MD, medical director of the women’s center in Munster. The funding is earmarked for patients who don’t have insurance and need diagnostic imaging.

“This generous donation will help supplement a grant we have received from the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust that covers approximately 50 screening mammograms,” said Nicholson. “We’re working to help women believe the truth that early detected breast cancers can be treated successfully. We strive to ease our patients’ minds, alleviate their stress and fear, and replace it with confidence in care that’s close to home. This funding will enable us to serve many more with the care they need,” she said.

To ensure other area women will be able to access the same quality care as their customer service representative De Young, Tom, and his wife Sue Krygsheld of Illiana Heating and Air Conditioning held a fundraiser during October – Breast Cancer Awareness month. Proceeds from installs and service calls during the month went to an account set up through Community Hospital to help other local women – those without insurance and who otherwise couldn’t afford them – receive diagnostic imaging at the Women’s Diagnostic Center.