Everett and Saugus residents walk in Jimmy Fund cancer benefit

By Tara Vocino

Tons of people walk, run, bike and even eat ice cream, to raise awareness and funds for the causes most passionate to them. It’s clear everyone present is driven with a purpose, but we don’t always get to hear the stories firsthand.

This year, Saugus resident Anthony Sapochetti is a first-year walker for the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, presented by Hyundai, on Sunday, Oct. 1, but he has supported several other charities in similar events. He is walking for his godmother and aunt, who played such an influential role in his life.

“Christine (Romano) Hardy, like many others, was taken too soon to the evil spirit of cancer, only at age 49,” Sapochetti said. “She already had many great accomplishments in her life, a loving husband, a secure job, her cat that she treated as a son, and most importantly, a loving heart and present smile.”

Sapochetti said she was a loyal friend, cherished wife, devoted aunt, godmother and all the other roles she played. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where Christine was treated, has done so much to get her as far as she got in this fight, and it is an honor to help them continue the fight with those in this position right now and for the years to come. They have raised $400 to date, and donations are still being accepted.

For Anthony’s Fundraising Page, visit danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/AnthonySaps2023. Or donate with a check addressed as follows: Payable to: The Jimmy Fund; check memo: Sapochetti-2497598 Donation. Mailing Address: Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, P.O. Box 3595, Boston, MA 02241.

Everett resident Stephanie LaFontaine hopes to raise at least $10,000 this year, which would put her total at $40,000 in five years. “I walk and am passionate about fundraising for Team IBC because Dana Farber and its Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) program are why I am still here today and able to enjoy my passion of scuba diving,” LaFontaine said. “I can’t cure IBC, but my fundraising for IBC research through the Jimmy Fund Walk can help researchers and doctors develop new treatments that provide better outcomes with fewer side effects for future patients.”

LaFontaine was diagnosed with IBC, a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer, in April of 2019. She said the first oncology team that she met with had essentially written her off with talks of treating her to keep her comfortable. “Then I was seen at Dana-Farber, home to one of only a few dedicated IBC research programs in the US,” LaFontaine said. “I immediately felt care and compassion from my new team and that they knew what to do to give me the best possible outcome.”

She said her entire team is dedicated to caring for IBC patients and has been with her every step of the way. For more information, visit danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/TR?px=1787563&fr_id=2000&pg=personal