Emma's Story

Clifford Law Offices in Chicago, home to approximately 50 employees, is one local business that integrates Cycle for Survival into their charity plan.  Michael Krzak, a partner at the personal injury firm, has been heading the charity efforts along with fellow-rider, Kevin Sowizrol.  Michael’s daughter Emma was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma (a rare cancer of the eye) at five and a half weeks of age.  Emma received substantial treatment for her cancer, including eight rounds of chemotherapy and multiple surgical procedures in the first 16 months of her life, including two major procedures at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.  Emma has been in remission for over two and half years and her dad wanted to do something to give back. 

Michael heard about Cycle for Survival, the indoor cycling fundraiser benefiting life saving research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.  The event will be held in Chicago, IL, Feb. 5. He told his partners and colleagues about the event, and now two teams with Clifford Law Offices employees, family and friends have registered for the event.  The two teams are Emma’s Eight and NJoy Racing.  Clifford Law Offices has been actively involved in telling Emma’s story to the media and creating awareness about Cycle for Survival.  A number of partners and employees of Clifford Law Offices have made donations to both Michael and Kevin’s teams. 

“Clifford Law Offices has been instrumental in assisting Emma’s Eight in getting the word out about Cycle for Survival.  They have provided all of the necessary personnel and resources to assist us in our fundraising efforts for rare cancer research, without hesitation and without question,” Michael said.  "We have to start somewhere and what better place than with my friends and colleagues at Clifford Law Offices.  I am so grateful for their support.  It has the potential to help so many children."

Emma's Story (PDF)

Cycle for Survival Fact Sheet (PDF)

Chicago Media Advisory Emma Krzak (PDF)

Chicago Tribune Coverage: Fundraiser to Put Spin on Overlooked Cancers