Franciscan St. James Health Brings Jan Dravecky to Girls’ Night Out

"Behind every great man is a great woman." So goes the cliche.

But this is really the case with Jan Dravecky, wife of former San Francisco Giants pitcher Dave Dravecky, known to baseball fans for his dramatic 1989 Major League comeback following cancer surgery on his pitching arm, and his equally dramatic departure from the game after the cancer returned and resulted in the amputation of that arm.

While in the midst of their journey of despair, faith and doubt, Jan found herself fighting a crippling depression that refused to lift. She tells her own "comeback" story in her book, A Joy I'd Never Known, and she brings that story to Franciscan St. James Health in December in a special appearance.

Franciscan St. James Health will host its second annual Spirit of Women Girls' Night Out, at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6, at the hospital’s Olympia Fields campus, 20201 S. Crawford Ave.

Due to the overwhelming response to their remarkable story, Dave and Jan established Dave Dravecky's Outreach of Hope, a non-profit organization that provides hope to those whose lives have been devastated by cancer or amputation.

Jan now speaks to women's conferences, retreats, and corporate and civic organizations nationwide sharing her story of hope and encouragement in the midst of personal pain and tragedy.

"When I was going through my depression, I thought I was the only one," says Jan. "I share my story so other people will know they are not alone."

• Admission to Girls' Night Out is free, but space is limited. Reservations are required. Call 1-800-785-2637.

Free health screenings from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. will precede Jan’s remarks and Q&A. The event will also feature refreshments, free giveaways and raffles.

Girls Night Out is the result of an exclusive partnership between Franciscan St. James and Spirit of Women, an elite coalition of American hospitals and healthcare providers committed to high standards of excellence in women’s health, education and community outreach.

This partnership enables Franciscan St. James to reach out to south and southwest suburban women through a yearlong calendar of educational events, conferences and other grassroots efforts.

“Franciscan St. James Health celebrates women’s health through the Spirit of Women network because we believe that knowledge and community support are keys to wellness,” said Franciscan St. James Health President Seth Warren. “Studies show that women make the healthcare decisions for most families, and we are working hard to give them the tools they need to make the best choices.”

Admission to Girls' Night Out is free, but space is limited. Reservations are required. Call 1-800-785-2637 or visit www.FranciscanStJames.org to register.

— submitted to Patch by Francicscan St. James Health