The Saint Agatha Foundation has raised more than $11 million dollars in 15 years to help Central New Yorkers dealing with the financial hardships of breast cancer. Manlius native Laurie Mezzalingua created the foundation, before losing her own battle just five years later. Her mother, Kathleen continues her daughter’s mission.
“Friends that she was associating and had families to support, and second incomes that they were concerned about. She just said we need to help these women. Labeled it, ‘who could not afford their disease.'”
Not only do they help with medical costs, but also pick-up other expenses such as gas, groceries, and household bills. Laurie envisioned helping women pay their bills, so that it’s one less thing they have to worry about.
“It’s based on need for women who are uninsured and under-insured. And we do it through the hospitals. But once they qualify, we just swoop in and take care of everything and they can just focus on healing, which was her goal.”
This year, they are hoping to increase the attendance of “The Promise Continues” gala. The gala’s organizers are two of Laurie’s close friends who helped her fight the disease... one friend happens to be Julie Boeheim.
“Julie was one of Laurie’s really good friends. She would sit with her and talk with her and just be a good friend to her and they would make each other laugh. So she is one of our co-chairs. Santo DeFino was in the practice that Laurie first went to, a hematology oncology and also became a breast cancer patient and is a very happy survivor.”
The gala will be held on October 24th at Marriott Syracuse Downtown to raise more funds and spread awareness of the foundation’s mission to reach more people in counties beyond Central New York. For more information visit their website by clicking here.
