We Love You, Rhonda

Hello,

I am Rhonda Peritore, a proud employee of the Fox Valley Family YMCA. As a Billing Specialist, I have the privilege of being connected to every YMCA program at both our Sandwich and Plano locations. This role has allowed me to work with countless families and members — an experience that has been one of the greatest honors of my life.

I began with the Fox Valley Family YMCA in January 2018 at the Early Learning Academy West in Sandwich. While both the childcare center and the gym there remain near and dear to my heart, my move to the Business Office in Plano five years ago has been an amazing chapter. I’ve met some of the best people — coworkers who have become true friends and even family.

In January 2023, I set a personal goal: to put a face to every name at each YMCA location. I’m still working toward that goal, and I’ve had so much fun along the way!

Then, one morning in July 2025, I tried to take a breath — and nothing happened. Just one week later, I was told that I have stage 4 cancer. Needless to say, the past several weeks have been a whirlwind. It’s amazing how much you don’t know until you’re faced with something like this — appointments, scans, tests, treatments — it’s a lot.

Through it all, the YMCA has made navigating my work life simple and full of grace. With Chris still new to the Y, I didn’t know what to expect or what to say. I didn’t know what “normal” would look like for my life, so how could I know what to ask for in a work schedule? The response I received was short and powerful:
“How can we support you?”

Wow. What a relief. That simple question lifted a huge weight off my shoulders and allowed me to focus on my health, knowing I had the full support of my YMCA family.

The YMCA truly supports its members, employees, and community — and I am now experiencing that support firsthand. Over these past weeks, I’ve seen through both words and actions that we are all placed where we are for a reason.

While you figure that out for yourself, love your YMCA.
You belong here — and We Love You!

— Rhonda

Wow—what a whirlwind these past few weeks have been!  There are simply no words to express my gratitude and my appreciation to all of you.  Whether you left heart felt note, purchased and sported a “We Love You” t-shirt, prayed a prayer for me or with me, or helped me with my goal of putting a face with a name at both  Central and West branches.  Overwhelmed comes to mind yet it is not even strong enough.

This is why this Y is my Y and our Y.  Where there is a need our Y is there.  My Y has been such an integral part of my personal journey and I am thankful they are here.  No matter what your “journey” is, your Y is there. 

On a personal note, I am so very happy to report that I am doing amazingly well with my illness.  It gets hard at times but those are the times I have to be a bit stronger OR admit that it is okay to take a rest.   I credit this largely to the all of the prayers being prayed for me.  Please keep them coming because I feel it working! 

I am anxious to watch the “We Love You Rhonda” campaign carry on and grow.  Just last week we were able to help a family start the BASE program a couple of weeks earlier with some funding from the campaign.  It did my heart good!  Thank you for your support.

With great gratitude~

Rhonda

I haven’t seen many of you lately, as I haven’t been in the Y as much recently, simply trying to stay away from the start of flu and cold season. I do, however, want to provide a quick update on my situation, 12 days after beginning a new, stronger chemotherapy concoction.

I considered not agreeing to the new meds, as the side effects were expected to be significant. Can I say — six of the past twelve days I have felt fantastic! I’ve been told my color looks better, that I haven’t been as fatigued, that I have energy, and that my pain has been minimal. I still haven’t had any sign of sickness or hair loss from the three infusions. I thank God every day for this. I even went into a restaurant and ate a meal!

My biggest struggle continues to be with food and weight gain — it’s harder than you’d think to gain weight. The chemo and cancer have affected my taste and smell significantly. I’ve had some really tasty soups and desserts dropped off by neighbors and friends, and the variety has been so appreciated. I thank everyone who has supported me in this way!

I have one, maybe two, full treatments to go (10/28), and then a full set of scans. This will determine where we go from here. I’ll be back with another update once that’s decided.

Thank you again for all the support, concern, and prayers. I cannot imagine going through a trauma such as this without a group of warriors like all of you — and so many others. I ask that you continue to keep me in your prayers; I know God is listening and has great things lined up for me.

Please feel free to reach out to me anytime at [email protected] — I would love to hear from you.

With great gratitude,
Rhonda