Friday, November 1, 2024
12PM- 2PM
On the green accross the Bergen County Courthouse
In 1998 my beautiful sister and coworker Susan, at age 38, was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. She was a paralegal for many years in my office and Nancy’s. She went through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation while working with us. She did well for six years but then it recurred in lungs, liver, and brain. At about that time I also was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer and was mother to a 5-year-old and a 7-year-old. I also went through major surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and later ovary removal.
Susan was brave, optimistic, selfless, and when the recurrence occurred, got herself a beautiful King Charles Cavalier puppy, “Molly” to be her therapy dog. Molly came home sick with pneumonia and the pet shop was willing to refund her money and euthanize Molly. Instead, Susan spent a fortune curing Molly and then as good lawyers do, we sued the pet shop to recover the money. Susan fought for Molly and Molly provided love and support for Susan as only dogs can do. My sister Nancy and I helped Susan through more radiation, chemotherapy, and many indignities for three years until her death at age 48 in 2007. At that point, Molly became my family dog and continued her job as therapy dog for my sick husband.
I am a Breast Cancer survivor and thank God every day that I have lived to raise my children. In 2007 I created the Susan Luciana Breast Cancer Fund as we would meet various people in waiting rooms who not only had cancer but who could not pay their bills; double indignities.
I run this charity out of my law office, and it provides grants to breast cancer patients with quality-of-life needs. In the last 14 years we have paid out over $150,000 to approximately 100 women. That may not sound like much compared to the big national charities but to these 100 women it has enhanced their life.
Most importantly I do not have any overhead expenses, I take no salary, I have no rent, employees or overhead of any kind. I even file the yearly taxes myself as the charity is 501(C)(3) approved. We help women mainly from Englewood Hospital as their Patient Navigator has them fill out a form which she emails to me, and I send them the grant. I make it very easy for them and I know they are legitimately sick and in need.
