Mother, daughter survivor duo plan cancer fundraiser
Shrewsbury Chronicle and MetroWest Daily News
Jeff Malachowski/Staff Writer
Wed Oct 10, 2007, 04:18 PM EDT
Shrewsbury - When Tammy Cardillo was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2003, she made a promise to herself that cancer would not beat her and she would transform the situation from devastating to positive.
Today, Cardillo, who has been cancer free since October 2003, has helped raise $265,000 for Dana Farber and the Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center through the annual Tammy Cardillo Benefit, which will be held for the fifth time on Oct. 19 at White Cliff’s in Northborough.
The event features a buffet dinner, a disc jockey, a speech by Cardillo and a variety of silent auction items including, four VIP tickets to see the Patriots take-on the Pittsburgh Steelers in December, four Red Sox tickets to any game next season, a one-week getaway to West Palm Beach, two American Airlines tickets for anywhere in the continental United States, Bruce Springsteen concert tickets, artwork, jewelry and sports memorabilia.
The event also includes a spin for the cure, where those at the banquet can spin a red, white and blue wheel for $20 and choose an item at the table of the color the wheel stopped on. There will also be pink jewelry sachets available for $20. Each bag is numbered and offers the opportunity to win a flat screen television or diamond stud earrings. Cardillo’s goal is to raise $100,000 on Oct. 19.
“We’re hoping the spin for a cure and the sachet bags will draw a lot of interest,” said Cardillo.
One aspect Cardillo, a Shrewsbury resident who also lives in Palm Harbor, Fla., hopes to impart on those in attendance is the importance of self-awareness.
She performed a routine breast exam four years ago at age 31 and found a lump, which was found to be cancerous. She stressed the significance of conducting routine breast exams for young women because it is usually not until age 35 when a woman gets a base-line mammogram, and by that time it would have been too late for her, said Cardillo.
She underwent nine months of treatment, including multiple surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation before being declared cancer free in October 2003. Cardillo has taken pills each day for the last four years and will have to take them for another year.
Despite battling a serious disease, Cardillo said she tried to live as normal a life as possible.
“When I was depressed I tried to find an upside,” she said. “I worked right through my treatment. I took only six days off for my chemotherapy treatments. I just tried to live a normal life.”
Due to the side effects from the cancer treatments weight gain occurs and Cardillo used the Jenny Craig program as part of her maintenance program to help re-gain her self-esteem.
“I was able to re-gain my self-esteem in part because of the Jenny Craig program,” said Cardillo. “The last thing you want to do is stay depressed after fighting cancer.”
Cardillo’s mother, Carol Schwab, also was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago and was able to beat the disease. Schwab fundraises for the banquet and helps educate others on breast cancer.
“My mom has been more than a mother,” said Cardillo. “She’s my fan. She’s my champion. She’s my hero.”
In addition to helping Dana Farber and Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center, Cardillo hopes to help the Adolescent Young Adults’ (AYA), Lost in the Middle group. According to Cardillo, there has been zero percent improvement in cancer rates for people aged 15-40 in the last 20 years.
“Everybody is affected by the age group,” she said. “No matter who you are or how old you are, everyone knows someone in that age group and we plan on closing the gap.”
Tickets to the event are $50 and businesses and guests are invited to sponsor a table in honor, in memory or in support of someone who has fought breast cancer.
“When we walk away that night we’ve given our best shot to raise money,” said Cardillo. “We’re all in it together, we have the same attitude and we’re all here for the same goal.”
For more information and a full list of silent auction items visit www.tcbannual.com.
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