Community Raises Money for Tinley Park Bartender Battling Cancer

TINLEY PARK, IL — The Tinley Park community is raising money for Kristin Grib, a local bartender who was diagnosed with breast cancer in February. Her sister Kori Gram Springer started a GoFundMe page in April with the goal of raising $15,000 for Grib, who has worked at Teehan's Tavern on Oak Park Avenue for 17 years.

“[Because of] the type of job she has, if she doesn’t work, she doesn’t get paid. I started the GoFundMe because she has had to reduce the days she works each week during treatment,” Springer said.

Grib was first diagnosed after a routine mammogram which detected several masses in her left breast. She has already received more than 15 weeks of intensive chemotherapy, with two more rounds to endure before undergoing a double mastectomy this fall. “She will have to take four to six weeks off after her surgery, and will have a second surgery in the spring for reconstruction,” Springer said. “Kristin is unmarried and supports her household on her income alone.”

The GoFundMe campaign has raised $4,428 so far, with an additional fundraiser to be held at an Teehan's September 28.

“I love Kris. She’s been my Teehan's mom for about five or six years now,” Teehan's patron Kevin Bourke wrote of his donation. “She’s a badass woman, and a huge inspiration. She’s flat out one of the greatest people I’ve ever met.”

Springer agrees, noting her sister’s positivity through the pain. “Kristin is doing as well as can be expected. She remains upbeat and positive as she is nearing the end of her chemotherapy treatment,” Springer said.

Grib has dealt with setbacks like an infected port, bone pain, neuropathy and low white blood cell counts. Low counts make her especially vulnerable to infection, limiting her ability to be exposed to germs at work.

“This is a difficult schedule to keep anyway, but it is so difficult to do when going through cancer treatment,” Springer said. “If she develops any infections or her immune system is compromised to the point of not being able to be around so many people, she will be unable to work. Because this is a cash only job, this makes her situation very scary.”

Her co-workers at Teehan’s are committed to sharing the fundraising page, including Dolores Maier-Krieger. “She is one tough lady and is still working, but is down to three shifts each week,” Maier-Krieger said. “The bills don't stop for cancer.”

“Chemotherapy has been very difficult and Kristin has not felt well for most of it. Despite this, she goes to work on her scheduled days, smiles and acts like her normal self even though I know it is so difficult to do so,” Springer said. “Kristin is an inspiration to me. She is my older sister and I’m so proud of her. She has handled this diagnosis and treatment with dignity and bravery."