Friends in Rockland mark 10 years fundraising for breast cancer awareness, support
The 10th annual "We Fight Like A Girl" fundraiser will happen Oct. 18 at the Garner Arts Center. It's an event that was started by a group of friends from the North Rockland area.
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The 10th annual "We Fight Like A Girl" fundraiser will happen Oct. 18 at the Garner Arts Center.
Michelle Nishanian, Carla Curran, Samantha Alfonso and Cristina Maggi are longtime friends from the North Rockland area.
They started holding this effort about a decade ago after Curran found out she had the BRCA gene in her 20s, which increases the risk of someone developing breast cancer.
"Once I decided to have a double mastectomy reconstruction, I was 27 years old. I felt like I had to then give back. So once I recovered and I felt better and everything, I decided it was our turn and that's where all of this came about," says Curran, of Haverstraw.
They've been raising thousands for the "Young Survival Coalition" ever since. It's a nonprofit that supports those younger than 40 diagnosed with breast cancer.
Alfonso, of Thiells, tells News 12, "The money that we have made through the years, I know has helped so many. And we only wish every year to get better and better."
"You really feel the community presence at our event, which I think is really nice,” says Nishanian. "It goes beyond just the basis of friendship. Do something for the greater good to give back has just been something that I know has been super important to all of us."
Maggi, of Garnerville, says, “It's really about coming together and really focusing on the good and making sure that everyone that is fighting feels complete support."
They’re hoping to raise $15,000 this year.
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