Terry Pistolesi

The Gouverneur Breast Cancer Fund is dedicated to providing support and financial assistance for anyone in the county diagnosed with breast cancer.

“We will assist anyone that has breast cancer or a cancer that has metastasized from breast cancer with anything they need,” said Terry Pistolesi, a member of the organization. 

A non-profit organization that is 100% volunteer, the mission of the Gouverneur Breast Cancer Fund is to address the financial needs of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer living in St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis counties through their treatment and recovery. The group has raised over $500,000 and helped 466 women since their founding in 2001, and continues to make strides to help the community with an annual walk. 

The money raised by the organization stays local and goes towards helping clients cover transportation, co-pays on prescriptions, co-pays on doctor appointments, insurance deductibles, or treatments or drugs that may not be covered by insurance, and occasionally immediate needs like rent, a mortgage payment, a car payment, or utilities.

“We look at each case and see what their needs are and work with each person individually to try to alleviate financial burdens while they are going through treatment,” Terry said. 

Terry encourages people to reach out to the organization whenever they need help, even if they were helped by the group in the past.

“People do not just come to us once. We encourage them through their entire treatment, whenever they need something to reach out,” she said. “We want to make sure they are constantly focused on their health, not their finances. So if they need assistance we want them to feel like they can reach out to us again.” 

Members of the organization understand what it’s like to have a friend or loved diagnosed with breast cancer, which helps drive them in their fight to help others.

“We’ve all known someone who was diagnosed with breast cancer and have watched them go through their battles,” Terry said. “We have grown with this organization and to see the relief our help brings to patients while they are going through treatment, and to see how it enables them to focus on healing and nothe financial burdens they are facing, that plays a huge role for us.”

The group is also continuously reminded of the strength of the communities they serve. 

“I think people are stronger than they realize,” Terry said. “I see the people that come out to events, whether it’s the walk we put on or events that are held on our behalf, and to see the people that come out and participate, whether it’s by donating, sponsoring, or willing to assist, to see the drive everyone has shows that people truly want to make a difference in someone else’s life. I believe myself and our entire board get so much reward from seeing that every day.”

To learn more about the Gouverneur Breast Cancer Fund, their annual walk, or apply for financial assistance, visit www.gouverneurbreastcancerwalk.com or contact Terry at (315) 287-7639.