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HollyDays Founder Says Breast Cancer Made Her A Stronger Advocate

By Howard Ludwig | October 28, 2015 6:01am
 Holly Simon of Beverly is the driving force behind HollyDays, a fundraiser for her I am who I am foundation. She is also a breast cancer survivor. This photo was taken one week before the event last year.
Holly Simon of Beverly is the driving force behind HollyDays, a fundraiser for her I am who I am foundation. She is also a breast cancer survivor. This photo was taken one week before the event last year.
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Maple Wood Photography

MORGAN PARK — Breast cancer didn't quiet Holly Simon. It only made the Beverly resident a louder advocate.

Simon founded I am who I am in January 2012. The non-profit is dedicated to celebrating children with special needs in a variety of ways including providing baby blankets at area hospitals for infants born a bit different.

The charity's annual fundraiser, HollyDays, takes place from 6-10 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Beverly Arts Center. Early bird VIP tickets cost $50 and allow partygoers to enter promptly at 6 p.m. General admission begins at 8 p.m., and tickets cost $30.

Howard Ludwig says Simon is an outspoken voice in her neighborhood:

Simon was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2014. She's fought the disease all along the way and never wavered from her commitment to the charity that she founded to celebrate her son, Nate.

 Holly Simon's son Nate (right) poses with Vashon Morgan. Nate showed early signs of Down syndrome when he was born. This meant doctors, nurses and specialists immediately turned to a script that focused on his diagnosis and future medical needs rather than congratulate the new mom on the birth of her infant son.
Holly Simon's son Nate (right) poses with Vashon Morgan. Nate showed early signs of Down syndrome when he was born. This meant doctors, nurses and specialists immediately turned to a script that focused on his diagnosis and future medical needs rather than congratulate the new mom on the birth of her infant son.
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Holly Simon

Nate Simon was born on Nov. 26, 2003 and showed early signs of Down syndrome. Rather than congratulate the exhausted mother upon the arrival of her new baby, the nurse apologized.

Doctors, nurses and specialists immediately turned to a script that focused on Nate's diagnosis and future medical needs. The opportunity to celebrate her son's birth was lost forever.

Holly Simon has never forgotten that moment and worked ever since to make sure other mothers and children don't experience a similar fate. Thus, she's trained area maternity staff on how to communicate with parents of newborns who arrive into the world a bit different.

"The majority of things that were in the hospitals before we started were very sad," said Simon, adding that her advice to most doctors and nurses is often to simply start with the word, "congratulations."

"Something I thought was so simple, it has brought people to their knees," she said on Monday.

Besides the blankets and training, Holly Simon also puts together events throughout the year where parents and caregivers can come together to celebrate their special needs children. One recent event involved kids painting pictures at Kunsthaus, a Beverly art studio.

The pictures were then put on display at the neighborhood Starbucks. Customers were able to buy the paintings and read about the artists — some of whom had never held a paintbrush before, Simon said.

Simon, the wife of a lieutenant in the Chicago Police Department, worked tirelessly throughout the past year for her foundation all while battling breast cancer. Her final surgery is set for Dec. 30.

She described the ordeal as "brutal" but never felt sorry for herself. In fact, she added the diagnosis and treatment were in many ways a gift, as it empowered her to fight even harder for differently-abled kids.

"What did it do for me? My filter is gone," she said.

Simon said she's often called to any of the six area hospitals who work regularly with I am who I am. Nurses ask her to meet with the parents of children who arrive without the tools that many of us take for granted.

"I go in and I listen," Simon said.

She would someday like to see her program spread nationwide. To do so, she relies on funding from HollyDays, which she reinvented a bit this year. New to VIP ticket holders will be a pair of comedy performances as well as a "Bridgeport to Beverly" pizza contest.

Simon has also tweaked the photo gallery this year, taking all the pictures herself. The 16-by-20 photos are all closeups that are more candid than the professional shots featured in the past. Some show children who drool or others display some genuine emotion that doesn't always end in an ear-to-ear smile.

"We have some kids that are so grumpy. It is hilarious," Simon said.

For general admission ticketholders, The Bono Brothers Band and David Lee & the Stoned Lonesome will perform. The vendor fair also returns, featuring jewelry makers, painters, holiday crafters and more.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the HollyDays website or call 773-239-3062.

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