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“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.You must do the things you think you cannot do.” (Eleanor Roosevelt)
THURSDAY OCTOBER 22, 2015 “Cancer affects everyone. Someday with perseverance and continued research, the door will be unlocked and a cure will free Humanity from the scourge of this disease.” (The SBOL staff)
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Massachusetts “Cure” Breast Cancer License Plate Local family initiative has raised almost one million dollars for breast cancer research BY KEVIN DEVLIN
On Thursday, October 15, at the Tufts Medical Center, a reception was held for the Dianne ConnollyZaniboni Breast Cancer Research Fund Lecture, which highlighted key advances in breast cancer research. This lecture is part of Tuft’s year-long celebration of the ten-year anniversary of the Massachusetts “Cure” Breast Cancer License Plate Initiative. Diane Connolly-Zaniboni was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in 1998. Before her death Dianne, along with her sister Janice Connolly-Laubenstein campaigned for a Massachusetts license plate to support breast cancer research. “Since Diane was diagnosed in 1998, she and I were compelled in trying to find a way to raise funds for
research and also raise awareness,” Connolly-Laubenstein stated. “As we thought about it, we saw a car with a Save the Whales license plate. A light went off! Let’s see how we can get a breast cancer plate on the road. During her treatments and being sick, we went to state legislature to try and get this done. Unfortunately it didn’t happen until she passed.” Sadly, Diane died on June 9, 2000, at the age of 39, leaving behind her beautiful daughter Mia, her husband Paul, as well as family and friends. After her passing, Diane’s family and friends would not give up her dream. They would make sure her dream became a reality. Then, by chance, but perhaps more so by fate, Diane’s sister Janice met Deb O’Neill, a cancer survivor herself. “I met Deb McNeill shortly afterwards and she shared our vision,” Connolly-Laubenstein added. “So we joined forces! We got a committee together which
THE LEAVES ARE FALLING. . . LET US DROP $100 INTO YOUR POCKET.
Diane’s sister, Janice Connolly-Laubenstein is pictured holding Diane’s Cure Breast Cancer license plate.
included our friends and families. It was tougher than we thought. There are so many people affected by this disease. We were dumbfounded. But with hard work and determination we made Diane’s dream come true. Jack Hart and Stephen Lynch were Angels who also helped by attending events.”
Their hard work finally paid dividends. After about two years of campaigning they had the necessary signatures (and pre-sold license plates) to make the license plate a reality. Upon legislative approval, on October 31, 2006, the “Cure Breast Cancer” license plate was available continued on page 2
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