Tributes

Aubrey Barr
Breast Cancer Survivor
In 1971, and at just 4 years old, Aubrey Adam Barr was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). At the time, this form of cancer had a less than 10% survival rate in children. For 7 years, she was treated with chemotherapy at MSKCC and 6 years later was declared in full remission. After college, Aubrey moved to Boston and began working in the Financial Services Industry. She also began running marathons with Fred's Teams-those runners who raise money for research and treatment at MSKCC. Each year, she joins over 800 Fred's Team runners in the ING NYC Marathon. Aubrey has completed 27 marathons to date and Fred's Team has raised millions of dollars for the Aubrey Fund to help the pediatric cancer unit at MSKCC.

Gregory Thomas Hickman
In Loving Memory
Gregory Thomas Hickman was an amazing 'warrior. At age 14 a rare childhood cancer, rhabdomysarcoma, interrupted his life. His life was just beginning. As a freshman at Middletown High School South he had already become acclimated to the charms and challenges of high school culture and was enjoying this rite of passage with vim and vigor. He was excited to be representing the last of the Hickman clan as the youngest member of a very large and close-knit family. As a freshman, Greg had become a member of the HS Varsity swim team. Greg's dreams were replaced by nightmares. In December of 2007, Greg was diagnosed with rhabdomysarcoma. Following his diagnosis, he and his parents traveled daily to Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC to endure an aggressive chemotherapy regime, along with radiation treatment and endless tests and scans. Instead of frolicking the halls of his high school, Greg was negotiating the halls of MSK. He did this like it was his job. Never once did Greg complain. Greg had the fighting spirit of a great Olympian. His perseverance, determination and positive attitude led the fight against the beast inside him. Throughout his treatments he continued doing the things he loved most: skiing, volleyball, dirt bike riding, surfing, swimming, going to the beach and hanging out with his friends.. He gave his family the strength and love they needed to carry them through. It is with this same fighting spirit that Greg's family wishes to perpetuate the memory of their son. The outpouring of love and support they received from the community at large was an incredible source of strength for them. They want Greg to live on through the kind acts we can provide to others through the Greg T. Hickman Foundation. Greg's family wishes to provide support to families struggling with similar diseases and misfortunes as they share their pain like only a parent can

Jocelyn Licata
Hodkins Disease Survivor
At 24 years old I had it all. I was in engaged to the love of my life and we had a brand new baby girl. My world was turned upside down when I noticed a lump under my armpit. I told my OB/GYN about it and she dismissed it as a swollen milk gland. I trusted her opinion until I noticed another lump on my right clavicle bone 2 weeks later. This one was painful. After a follow up with my primary care physician, I was immediately taken into surgery to have it removed. The surgeon knew exactly what it was, but kept the news from me initially. Instead he had to tell my fiancé that his girlfriend had cancer. That night my family gathered to break the news. I was certain it was nothing and that they shouldn't worry. That's when they explained to me that there in fact was a lot to worry about. I had Stage 2B Hodgkins Lymphoma. My whole world froze. I looked at my newborn daughter and could not believe this was happening to me. I met with an oncologist the next week to discuss our plan of action. I was to have ABVD chemotherapy twice a week. It was so difficult to watch this poison being pumped into my veins in addition to so many other medications….but they were saving my life. It was draining. I was so tired and sick that I couldn't do much of anything. I couldn't take care of my daughter. I couldn't be the mom she needed me to be. I had chemo for 7 long months. Finally in March, I had a petscan that revealed that I was cancer free. Hearing those words was a feeling I can't even describe. Cancer robbed me of my feelings of being beautiful, young, and innocent. Cancer robbed me of the plans I had for my life. I lost 7 precious months of my baby's first year. My wedding had to be put on hold. But despite all this, I SURVIVED. I was given a second chance. In September of 2005, 6 months after finding I was cancer-free, I married my amazing husband. To be surrounded by friends and family that had been such a huge support through my ordeal was a wonderful feeling. We celebrated life, love, and family and I was so thankful. Since then I have been blessed with two more children, a son and a daughter. I am now married 5 years and have three beautiful, healthy kids. Even though my road through these years was hard, I feel like now I have an appreciation for life that I took for granted before. I am a better person because of Cancer.

Susan Ramsaroop
Breast Cancer Survivor
Susan was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. After several rounds of her cancer returning and years of intense chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Susan continues to fight this disease with everything she has. Her courage, hope and determination continues to inspire so many to keep helping her fight the fight by raising money and awareness in her honor.

Donna Van Brunt
Breast Cancer Survivor
Donna was diagnosed with breast cancer in September of 2006. She has one more round of chemotherapy to go and will move on to radiation treatments. Donna is expected to make a full recovery and continues to fight this disease every day with the help of an outrageous support system by her side every step of the way!

Linda McGowan
Breast Cancer Survivor
Linda McGowan was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2005. After 4 chemotherapy sessions in 2 months, 6 weeks of radiation, almost 2 years on Tamoxifen medication and one really bad wig, Linda continues to win in her battle against cancer. She credits her family for giving her the love, support and strength necessary for her to fight the fight and continues to work to raise awareness for breast cancer.

Robin Goldstein-Roche
In Loving Memory
In 1992, Robin lost her seven-year battle to breast cancer at the tender age of 42. We walk in her loving memory so that no children should have to lose their mom.

Ann Thompson
Breast Cancer Survivor
Ann Thompson, another brave survivor, has beaten the odds and enjoys spending as much time as she can taking part in her granddaughters most monumental moments in life.

Roseann Sidisin
Breast Cancer Survivor
Roseann was diagnosed with breast cancer just short of a year ago. The past year has been physically and emotionally challenging for her and her family. Being the strong person that she is, she continues to beat this disease every day and inspires her daughter Jackie to walk for the cure.

Cristen Hillmann Sjoholm
Breast Cancer Survivor
My HERO and my EVERYTHING; the devastating news came on September 16, 2006, there was no lump, there was a rash and what my MOM referred to as bees stinging her right breast. She was diagnosed with Stage III Inflammatory Breast Cancer and for the first year of this journey I was unable to say two words "CHEMO" and "CANCER". Now with the help of my best friend, my mother - I am able to talk about it with a smile because I am so proud of her strength and ability to never give up or give in. Your mom is supposed to tell you everything is going to be alright and shelter you from horrible things; cancer takes that all away. I love you mom and thank you for never stop climbing the mountain and handling the seasons of life (like our song "Landslides"). xoxo

Ginny LoSapio
Breast Cancer Survivor
Ginny, a loving grandmother and wonderful mother has beat Breast Cancer and remains cancer free for more than 5 years now. She was diagnosed shortly after her daughter Lucille. They both took this disease on with a substantial amount of courage and beat it!

Marianna Gencarelli
In Loving Memory
Marianna Gencarelli lost her battle to cancer on April 5th, 2007.

Carmen Shouldis
Breast Cancer Survivor
Carmen Shouldis is a cancer survivor!

Vogue Batt
In Loving Memory
Vogue was diagnosed and operated on in June of 1998 and was told she would not see Christmas. She survived and was in remission for 5 years during which she went back to college earning her Masters in Languages and graduated November 2003. Two short months later, she lost her battle to cancer and sadly passed away.

Della DIgennaro
Breast Cancer Survivor
Della was 81 years old when she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. With the love and support of her husband, children and grandchildren...Della beat this disease and is a brave survivor of 3 years!

Christina Lehan
In Loving Memory
Christina courageously fought this battle for over 10 years. She is missed every single day by all of her friends and family.

Amanda Barrett
Breast Cancer Survivor
I was 29 when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I found the lump on my own and because I had a benign lump at the age of 16, I took my time getting to the doctor, but luckily it was only stage 1. Like many women, I have no family history of the disease, which sometimes makes it harder in my mind because I'm constantly wondering if I did this (drinking the wrong water, eating the wrong foods, etc. a girl can go crazy!). I have amazing support from my family, friends and even co-workers which I think is one of the main factors in getting through this. This past October I formed a team for the local ACS Breast Cancer walk and raised over $4,000 - it was an amazing day!

Charlotte DiReda
In Loving Memory
Our mother Charlotte DiReda was a true woman of substance! Our mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 1988. Like many women, her crusade against cancer was fought with courage, fear and hope. She was called home to Christ in 1993. We honor her by living life as loving, compassionate people with hope for all women who are faced with the crusade of breast cancer.

Angie Vasto
Breast Cancer Survivor
When my Mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer I was 11 years old. I was scared and didn't know what to expect. I was with her all the time, by her side, trying to help with everything I could. Every night I would pray hoping she would be alright. My prayers were answered. It's now 4 years later and my mom is a Breast Cancer Survivor. I am so proud of her and am glad to have her back. She is the greatest mother in the world.

George A. Reis
In Loving Memory
"Early Detection" would have benefited my family. My father, George A Reis, Jr (55yrs old), was unaware that his hard working efforts installing asbestos while shipping out would have severe consequences. He passed away 6 months after being diagnosed with Mesothelioma, a cancer that had been growing inside of him for 30 years, completely undiagnosed until it was too late. Since Mesothelioma is a "rare" cancer, research efforts are severly underfunded. I'm sure if we were aware of this disease, we all would have encouraged him to get whatever testing was available. Its heartbreaking that statistically, my father, having been 1 of 2,100 people that lost their battle to Mesothelioma in 2006 is not "enough" of a reason to properly fund research projects. A life is a life, regardless of how in which is was taken.

Linda Jensen
Breast Cancer Survivor
I'm 5 year survivor of Stage 3 Breast Cancer so I spend every day of my life living to the fullest! With my 25 years of nutritional background, I am now a Certified Wellness Consultant helping others. I am also a perosnal chef and shin jyutsu practioner. I truly believe I came this far not only from my faith and belief of healing myself, but for the love and support programs which offer education and hope. I am proud of NGF’s dedication to bring awareness to the next generation as I am seeing numbers increase through my practice and volunteerism. My goal is not to have cancer be the topic of discussion when I meet a new bride or mom.