A cancer diagnosis changes everything overnight. Suddenly, families are juggling treatments, bills and fear, and things like a family vacation or a child's college fund can feel out of reach. That's where the Mama Mare Breast Cancer Foundation steps in.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and for Month 10 of our 12 Months of Kindness, the JMC Design Build Remodel team wore pink and made a donation to the Mama Mare Breast Cancer Foundation.
Krista Kasper started the Mama Mare Breast Cancer Foundation in February 2010, just two months after losing her mom, Mary Ellen Pernice, to stage IV breast cancer. To many, Mary Ellen was simply "Mama Mare."
Those who knew her called her a saint. She always had a smile on her face and was optimistic about everything. Through three battles with breast cancer over 10 years, no one ever heard her complain. She kept caring for her family and home without skipping a beat, and her courage and dignity inspired everyone around her.
The foundation carries Mama Mare's spirit of love, laughter and strength forward by helping others, just as she did throughout her 51 years. We talked with Krista to learn where support like ours goes, the moments that stay with her, and how our community can help.
Mama Mare's programs meet patients and families where they are, through several programs. A donation can support:
When we asked Krista for a story that stands out, she said every family is special in its own way. But the Dream Trips hold a particular place in her heart, and in the hearts of the families who receive them.
"There have been several people we have sent on dream trips with their loved ones, and sadly some of those have passed and we still hear from their families who say it was one of the best weeks of their lives and the memories are priceless!"
The program is personal for Krista. She always wanted her mom to experience Disney World with her kids, but sadly, she never got the chance. The Dream Trip was her way of giving other families that chance.
"When you are in the midst of a cancer battle, planning a trip is the last thing on your mind, so being able to give them that gift, and all they have to do is show up, is just the hugest blessing to us!"
Pink ribbons are a powerful symbol, but Krista hopes this month leaves people with something deeper: a commitment to their own health and real empathy for those living with this disease every day.
"I hope that there's an awareness, to ensure they stay on top of their own health and also understand the weight of what so many are going through on a daily basis with this disease. I think it's great if people find it in their hearts to get involved in the cause or at the very least, connect with people in their lives who may be going through it. You never know how a simple outreach can change someone's day."
Haunted HS at Monroe Township High School: Wednesday, October 28, starting at 5 PM. Organized by the school's Future Business Leaders of America, this free event fills the entire high school with games and activities. Around 500 people usually attend, and all proceeds go to Mama Mare. Bring the family and make an evening of it.
Chemo care bags. Organizations can assemble care bags filled with items for patients going through chemotherapy. Mama Mare delivers them to hospitals and infusion centers throughout New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. They also mail bags year-round to requested recipients across the country and have sent them as far as Canada, Europe and even China. It's a great project for a workplace, school, church or community group.
At JMC, we spend our days helping families build homes where memories are made. Mama Mare gives families facing breast cancer the chance to make memories when it matters most, and to breathe a little easier along the way. We're honored to support their work.
Thank you to Krista Kasper, Founder & Chair of the Mama Mare Breast Cancer Foundation, for sharing her story with us. To learn more, donate, or nominate someone for a Dream Trip, visit Mama Mare's Website today.
Stay tuned for Month 11 of our 12 Months of Kindness!