The Saint Agatha Foundation, established in 2004, has been a beacon of hope for thousands of breast cancer patients. In the past year alone, the foundation has distributed $2,293,043 to 19 organizations dedicated to providing direct support to those battling the disease, according to Kathy Mezzalingua, the foundation’s president and board chair.
However, the true impact of the foundation cannot solely be measured by these figures. The real success, Mezzalingua says, lies in the lives of the individuals it has helped. Over the past year, approximately 13,000 breast cancer patients have received financial assistance, enabling them to focus on their health and treatment without the added burden of financial stress.
The foundation’s work is deeply personal for Mezzalingua, whose daughter Laurie founded the organization. Laurie, a resident of Manlius, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. Despite her courageous battle, she passed away in 2009 at the age of 41. Before her death, Laurie made her mother promise to continue the work of the foundation, a promise Kathy has dedicated herself to fulfilling ever since.
“It’s just been my life’s work now, just to help women because that’s what she wanted me to do,” Mezzalingua said.
The Saint Agatha Foundation offers financial assistance to cover a wide range of expenses for breast cancer patients. These include treatment costs, medical procedures, testing, alternative treatments not covered by insurance, prescription co-payments, breast reconstruction, medications, living expenses, transportation to treatment centers, wound care, and medical office visit co-payments.
While patients do not receive direct funding, the foundation works with partner healthcare providers in multiple counties, including Onondaga, Cortland, Cayuga, Madison, Oneida, Oswego, and Jefferson. Patients can access these services by visiting the foundation’s website and finding the partner agencies in their area. The goal, Mezzalingua says, is to ensure that everyone diagnosed with breast cancer knows that financial assistance is available.
In addition to supporting individual patients, the foundation also offers grants to public charities that assist breast cancer patients in various Central New York counties. These include Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Jefferson, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Otsego, Oswego, and Saint Lawrence counties.
The foundation supports several programs that aid patients in unique ways, such as Camp Kesem, which serves children of breast cancer patients, and musical initiatives like The Syracuse Orchestra. Mezzalingua believes music can be especially therapeutic for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
The foundation’s generosity also extends to healthcare equipment. For instance, it recently provided a software update for a mammogram machine to improve diagnostic capabilities.
Looking to the future, Mezzalingua is focused on expanding the foundation’s reach and support. She hopes to further involve volunteers in assisting patients with one-on-one counseling and offering emotional support, particularly during chemotherapy visits. “We want to be there for every facet of their lives,” she said.
Through its ongoing efforts, the Saint Agatha Foundation continues to be a vital resource for breast cancer patients in Central New York, providing not just financial assistance but also a community of support for those in need.
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