Making Sure Financial Hardship Doesn’t Stand in the Way of Care
Laurie Mezzalingua, a breast cancer patient for 12 years, established Saint Agatha Foundation in 2004 to provide financial assistance to individuals in Central New York State who are afflicted with breast cancer. The Foundation is dedicated to providing support, comfort, and care to breast cancer patients through financial assistance programs. Saint Agatha Foundation support allows patients to focus on their treatment, not their bills.
THE NEED
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in New York State. Each year in New York, more than 15,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and almost 2,600 women die from the disease. About 150 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in New York State. The economic impact to breast cancer patients and their families can be devastating.
IMPACT
OVER 14,130 PATIENTS SUPPORTED
Since our founding, Saint Agatha Foundation has assisted more than 14,130 patients and their families by providing grants to hospitals and organizations in 12 counties.
OVER $26 MILLION IN GRANTS AWARDED
The Foundation has provided grants in excess of $26 million to local hospitals and partner organizations.
The Boxing Gloves
In 2002, Laurie created an ad for The Susan G. Komen Foundation using pink boxing gloves to represent the fight being waged by all those touched by the disease. She would often give pink boxing gloves to other women who were facing the same challenges. The message was always the same: “I’m in your corner. Stay strong and keep fighting!”
After reading the story of Saint Agatha, Laurie felt a strong personal connection to her. She chose to name her foundation after this strong and brave woman. In a modern twist, Laurie gave Saint Agatha pink boxing gloves in hopes that this logo would inspire those with breast cancer to keep fighting and never give up.
WHO IS SAINT AGATHA
Saint Agatha is the patron saint of breast cancer. Born in the third century to a noble family in Sicily, Agatha was a great beauty who attracted a bevy of suitors. However, Agatha had dedicated her life to God at a very early age. She refused many marriage proposals in order to commit herself to her faith. The magistrate Quintianus believed himself high enough in rank to be worthy of Agatha’s affection, but she rejected even his advances. Furious, Quintianus reported her to the highest authority in the region – who happened to be Quintianus himself. In his capacity as magistrate he threatened her with torture and possible death. Still she rebuked him, reaffirming her devotion to God. Although Agatha was imprisoned and abused by her captors, her faith never wavered. Her death in 251 AD was the result of immeasurable and unimaginable torture, including the removal of her breasts.
Saint Agatha watches over and protects all breast cancer patients and is celebrated every year on February 5 with a feast day. Our foundation is named after her in dedication to her grace and her steadfast commitment to the fight. Her final prayer was: “Lord, my Creator, you have always protected me from the cradle; you have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Receive my soul.”
YOU DON’T HAVE TO NAVIGATE THIS ALONE
Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Getting connected to the right resources early on helps shape your treatment and support plan. Saint Agatha Foundation is here to help.
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
Receive updates on grantees, fundraisers, and other Saint Agatha Foundation news.