Community set to help former resident, local church founder fight cancer

Planning is now underway for two fundraisers to benefit former Hinckley resident and1985 Highland High School graduate Heidi Goldbach Balicki.

Balicki, now 56, is the daughter of Walter and Barbara Goldbach, who helped found Our Lady of Grace Church in Hinckley. Walter Goldbach is also known for creating the original 1948 Chief Wahoo logo, which debuted on Cleveland Indians uniforms during the 1948 World Series, while Barbara served as the township’s zoning clerk and trustee secretary for 25 years and also developed the first children’s softball league in Hinckley.

Bilicki was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, at which time she underwent surgery to remove the cancer. She lived cancer free until the summer of 2021 when she was diagnosed with a rare, more aggressive cancer. After enduring another painful surgery to remove the tumor, the cancer metastasized in and around her pubic rami bones in 2022, causing several inoperable fractures.

Despite her diagnosis, Balicki, who currently resides in Medina, remains committed to beating her cancer and has been fighting to heal her broken bones by battling through radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy to shrink or stabilize the mass.

As a result, Balicki’s new mantra is “What’s important now,” as she fights for more time with her husband, Scott, and their three children, Aidan, Tara and Trent, as well as her extended family, friends and students in the North Royalton City School District.

That mantra is the inspiration behind The W.I.N. Balicki Fundraisers, which are designed to help Balicki’s family meet medical and living expenses, allow her to focus on healing and refilling her well of hope.

The first W.I.N. fundraiser will take place on Friday, May 5, from 6-11 p.m. at Vell’s Party Center in Medina. The public can help by attending or donating raffle baskets or items for the silent auction. Call Cindy Buit at 216-407-2690 for more information.

The second fundraiser is a golf outing at Bunker Hill Golf Course on June 10, which is being facilitated by Accelerated Fitness in Medina. The public can help by attending, sponsoring, advertising or donating.

More details about the golf outing are available at https://birdease.com/AcceleratedFitness2023. ∞