It's been a wild ride over the past year for Pat Ewert, filled with every emotional extreme possible.
Last March, for instance, her company downsized, thus ending her career in the corporate world at an international consulting firm. She was then diagnosed with breast cancer following a self-exam.
Ewert endured four months of chemotherapy and almost seven weeks of radiation treatment, ultimately finishing her treatment in October.
"I'm the poster child for modern medicine," said Ewert, whose partner, Vernita Gray, has herself been battling breast cancer since 1997. "Today, I'm healthy and full of energy. I feel great."
She has been feeling great especially since her professional world is on a roll, too.
Last November while at church, she met Claudia Stevenson. The two struck up a conversation and Stevenson revealed she was looking to hire an executive director for the non-profit arm of her archery company, Archery Education Resources, which is housed in the Chicago Archery Center.
Other than through her volunteer activities, Ewert had no experience in the non-profit world, but was excited about the opportunityand she started the job in January.
"It's a fabulous job, a great work environment. We have great discussions, a lot of fun," said Ewert, whose Lives On Target is a not-for-profit 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) corporation dedicated to providing funding for non-profit organizations that want to offer archery activities. Her grantees include organizations such as World Sport Chicago, the Chicago Public Schools & Parks, The Anixter Center, and Girls In the Game.
The Chicago Archery Center at Armitage, 1529 W. Armitage, held its grand opening March 26, and Ewert's Lives On Target recently held an open house at the center as well.
Ewert also had no previous archery experience, but is taking archery training and also is studying to be a certified archery coach.
"My main job now is finding ways to sponsor and fund-raise for non-profits that want to offer archery," said Ewert, who noted that the Chicago Archery Center soon will start offering archery leagues a la bowling leagues.
Ewert said she is going to reach out to the LGBT community to become active at the Chicago Archery Center. "It is a fun sporta great way to meet people," she said.
THE STATS
Name: Pat Ewert
Age: 62
Neighborhood: Edgewater
Relationship status: Partners with Vernita Gray
Favorite Chicago restaurant: Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House
Favorite Chicago bar: T's or Parlour
Hobbies:"Besides going to the doctor a lot, we enjoy traveling and are big balcony sitters, walking on the lakefront, music and entertaining."
Favorite TV show: Jerseylicious and Wheel of Fortune
Favorite film: Thelma & Louise
It's a fact: Works out for 60 minutes every morning, "which really helped keep me healthy during chemo." Her routine includes 30 minutes on the treadmill, 15 minutes on the Elliptical Machine and 15 minutes with free weights. She also does yoga two or three times per week.