HELPING HANDS

MFL Board of Directors

(L–R) Victor LoRe, Madeline Fiadini LoRe, and Frank LoRe

By Tara Ryazansky

Photos Courtesy of The MFL Foundation and Epic Events

In October, pink ribbons can be found all around Bayonne. At Bayonne Medical Center, an annual MammogramA-Thon, held in partnership with the Madeline Fiadini LoRe Foundation for Cancer Prevention, gives the uninsured access to free screening to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But for the folks at MFL, the mission to prevent cancer is a year-round quest.

“Our programs run all year long,” says Carol Trojan, executive director of the foundation.

They do more than just breast cancer screenings.

“We support mammographies, ultrasounds, oral cancer screenings, and we do colonoscopies.”

The community that the Madeline Fiadini LoRe Foundation for Cancer Prevention serves is the one in which they saw the most need.

“We serve the undocumented and the working poor. People who have jobs but don’t have insurance. People who have no other means of covering these tests, no government subsidies and they’re not eligible for charity care, that’s our targeted group,” Trojan says.

Personal Mission

Madeline Fiadini LoRe isn’t just a foundation. She’s a person.

“Madeline and I have been friends forever. We always say we’re sisters. God

Carol Trojan, Nicole Kagen and Erica Trojan Christina Bishop Feeny and Carol Trojan

didn’t give us biological sisters, so in a way, we were lucky because we got to choose our own. We chose each other,” Trojan says.

This mission is personal for Fiadini LoRe.

“She went in to have a simple operation and they found ovarian cancer. God knew he had to save her. He had big things in store for her. Her life changed from that moment on. She was only 32 with two small children. It took her a while to get through that,” Trojan says.

After Fiadini LoRe beat ovarian cancer she went on to survive breast cancer twice, and she is currently battling bladder cancer.

“That’s the anecdote, but it doesn’t define her. She’s all about moving forward and helping other people with this horrible disease. She’s a living example that prevention helps,” Trojan said.

Moving Forward

The two friends volunteered together at Bayonne Medical Center back when it was known as Bayonne Hospital. When it became a for-profit hospital, Fiadini LoRe decided to start her nonprofit. That was in 2008. Today, the organization is led by chairwoman and president Fiadini LoRe and Trojan, who became executive director in 2012. The organization also includes vice president Phyllis Colaninno, secretary Janice Hall, treasurer John Trojan, trustees Joseph Barbero, Silvana Buccianti, Cindi Galvin, Dr. Kenneth Garay, Cindy Guarini, Kathryn Matarazzo, John Minella, Dr. Michael Russo and advisory trustees Vincent Alessi, Pasquale Diccianni, Dr. Howard Levine, Victor LoRe, Anthony Novello and Joseph Scott.

The Madeline Fiadini LoRe Foundation for Cancer Prevention has established The Madeline Fiadini LoRe Women’s Center and The John Fiadini Outpatient Oncology Center within Bayonne Medical Center. Countless residents have received care in these centers.

The 12th annual fundraising gala that helps to support their efforts was scheduled to take place on Nov. 13 at the Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park.

Push For Prevention

MFL recently partnered with New Jersey Cancer Institute in Jersey City Medical Center.

Stefan Balan

“We made a pledge of a million dollars toward opening an Infusion Center. We had the ribbon cutting in June. We have a new state-of-the-art infusion center where chemotherapy patients can come, and other types of infusion patients can come, for their iron infusions,” Trojan says. “Unfortunately, my daughter was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and she became one of the fi rst people to take advantage of that new center. That personally was very emotional for me because I had thought, ‘What a lovely facility, but I hope I never have to come here,’ and then on the fl ip side, we’re there and seeing what a marvelous facility it is and how wonderful the care really is. It’s really so needed. It’s comfortable. There are private rooms. It’s beautiful. We’re very proud that it’s our legacy: The Madeline Fiadini LoRe Foundation Infusion Center.”

Now Trojan and MFL are even more resolute in their mission. “She’s 38 years old,” Trojan shares. “You don’t have mammographies yet at 38 years old, but you do have self-exam. She found it herself. If caught early, you could have a positive outcome. That’s why we push for prevention.”

For more information, visit MFLfoundation.com.—BLP