Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW Terrie Villamaino said she looks at a photograph of her friend and East Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Fighter Brett Minahan daily, reminding her of his struggle to overcome esophageal cancer and her efforts to help find a cure. Rose Romito, a cancer survivor, described Frannie Borek, as a "very sweet and a dear friend." Minahan and Borek are two of the 559,650 Americans who lost their battles with cancer last year. To pay tribute to their memories and in an effort to help find a cure, Villamaino, Romito and Maryellen Burson, a breast cancer survivor, will be hosting the Second Annual Purse U-A-Cure Fundraiser on April 8 at Romito's & Sons Delicatessen on North Main Street. The fundraiser will feature over 80 of Burson's original purses, wallets and eyeglass cases as well as a raffle of numerous luxury items. While going through treatment, Burson explained that she began to design and sew purses as a form of her own personal therapy. She added that she decided to sell them as a means to raise funds for cancer research. Burson donates 15 percent of each purse sold to cancer research. One hundred percent of ticket sales for the fundraiser and raffle ticket sales will be donated. The cost of each ticket is $5, which includes hors d'oeuvres donated by Romito's. Burson said after watching her mother lose her battle with cancer 10 years prior to her own diagnosis, she believed she would experience similar excruciating side effects. However, Burson explained that advancements in research allowed her and millions of others far better, less painful therapies. "I didn't have the experience she did," Burson recalled. "I was sick but not the same [as my mother]. I realize the impact that donations [to cancer research] have to find a cure and make it [cancer treatment] more livable." Burson and Villamaino agreed that their fundraiser might be just "a drop in the bucket," but that "anything, something couldn't hurt." "I just feel that anything anybody can do to try to make a difference will help," Villamaino said. "If everybody just sits back and does nothing we can't do anything [to help find a cure]." While at Romito's earlier this month, Whitney Thompson said she saw the advertisement for the fundraiser and became eager to help. She has since been selling tickets for the event. Thompson explained that she used to frequent Romito's weekly with her father before he died of a carcinoid tumor in August 2007. He was 61 years old. "Every little bit counts," Thompson said of fundraising, adding that the experience has helped her through the grieving process. "It gives me a little guidance or control of a situation which I had no control over." Burson said the goal for this year's fundraiser is to double last year's earnings of $400. Raffle items will include manicures and pedicures from local salons, gift certificates for haircuts, massages, flower arrangements, jewelry and a car-detailing package from Balise Lexus in West Springfield. Villamaino explained that Balise Lexus has donated the package, which allows the raffle winner to drop off his or her car at the dealership all weekend for an oil change and full detailing; in return Balise Lexus will loan the winner a Lexus for the weekend. Burson said her purses range from $10 - 65. She added that she and Villamaino have also made beaded bookmarks for $4 and key chains for $9. "We believe so much in finding a cure," Romito said. "Being that it was an unfortunate part of my life it's opened our eyes to every little thing we can do to make a difference." To purchase tickets or to make a donation, contact Burson at 262-4248 or Villamaino at 427-3677. Tickets are also on sale at Romito's. For those who cannot attend, donations can be mailed to Villamaino: 50 Pease Rd., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Make checks payable to Purse U-A-Cure. | ||||||
