Formed in November 2010, The Charlene Ann Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization run by a dedicated group of volunteers composed of professionals, family, and friends from Massachusetts with the goal of taking the financial burden out of the equation for those fighting the battle against cancer.
As we all know, health care costs are sky-rocketing and the cost to breast cancer patients often far exceed their health care coverage. Even with the best health care coverage, patients are often left with significant medical bills associated with co-payments, deductibles, and yearly maximums. Medical procedures often include mammograms, MRI’s, CT scans, chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Grueling treatment plans and frequent medical appointments not only result in general body fatigue and stress, but also a loss of income due to the inability to work for extended periods of time. In addition, non-medical out of pocket expenses typically include but are not limited to parking fees, highway tolls, fuel charges, child care, and food requirements. Fighting cancer is hard enough without having to worry about choosing between their own care and the care of their families. The Charlene Ann Foundation mission is to raise funds to provide monetary support for individuals and families facing financial burdens associated with Cancer treatment, promote Cancer awareness in the community, and to help find a cure for Cancer.
Our Inspiration - Charlene:
Charlene was born in Worcester and graduated from Holy Name Central Catholic High School; she later earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Clark University. At the very young age of 31, Charlene was diagnosed in September 2010 with a radical and aggressive form of cancer known as Triple Negative Breast Cancer. She soon found that treatment came at a significant physical, emotional, and financial expense. It was then that Paws For the Cause - “Team Charlene”, began, simply as a group of co-workers and friends with the idea of providing personal fundraising events for Charlene.
Charlene had a passion for animals and their well-being and she volunteered/ worked at Animal Shelter Inc. of Sterling for over 7 years. Where she often fostered and nurtured homeless, abused, and abandoned animals in her own home. She was employed as a surgical veterinary technician at VCA Northboro Animal Hospital. Charlene always aspired to attend Tufts University to become a veterinarian. Charlene studied for and successfully passed an examination to become a Certified Veterinary Technician, while undergoing cancer treatments. She was known to all as a wonderful friend, sister, daughter, caregiver, pet sitter, family pet “nurse”, and an overall caring and sweet person. In her spare time, Charlene liked to ride horses, read, garden, try her hand at photography, and dote on her pets. Charlene's passion for animals, the "Paws" in her life, as well as in the lives of those that love her, ultimately led to the name “Paws For The Cause”. Charlene loved her family, and was a devoted friend; it has been said that once she was your friend, she was your friend for life.
It was with great sadness that after an inspirational three-year battle, Charlene lost her battle with cancer in November 2013. It is on that day that a single rose bloomed on a cold New England day, and all those that were touched by Charlene’s radiating light gained their own personal saint.
In light of Charlene’s spirit in 2016 the Paws for the Cause, Inc. became The Charlene Ann Foundation in honor of Charlene’s memory. We look forward to continuing the support and message that Charlene had begun. Thank you for your time and we appreciate your support. We are happy to discuss any questions pertaining to our events or our cause.
Sincerely,
Charlene Ann Foundation | www.charleneannfoundation.org | PO Box 608 Boylston, MA 10505
Email: teamcharlene@charleneannfoundation.org | Facebook: CharleneAnnFoundation | Twitter:@CharleneAnnFoun
