Community Corner

Local Mom Fights Cancer One Nickel at a Time for Relay For Life of Greater Foxboro

Lisa Balzarini of West Mansfield Relays to help find a cure to cancer so her two young children never have to experience the pain of the disease.

Lisa Balzarini is collecting donations of returnable cans and bottles from neighbors, friends and folks just passing by her West Mansfield home in an effort to raise funds for the Realy For Life of Greater Foxboro.

Balzarini is currently fundraising for the Relay team, Daydream Believers and the American Cancer Society in the hopes of helping cure cancer so her two young daughters, Haley and Teagan, will never have to experience the pain of the disease.

“While we count [the donations], I tell [my daughters] why we are doing it," Balzarini said. "I tell them that we are raising money to help people with cancer, and then I tell them how that money helps.”

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The local mom is teaching her girls that we can all make a difference in the world. Last year, at 3 and 5 years old, Balzarini's daughters were so motivated to help that they set up a little lemonade stand and raised $97 by themselves to put towards “helping scientists and doctors help people with cancer."

The donation bin on Balzarini's lawn has really caught on as people find her fundraising effort as a simple way to contribute without feeling the pinch of pulling into their wallets to give cash in these difficult economic times.

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This convenient local drop spot brought in $1,000 toward the team drive in 2012 and will hopefully reach or exceed Balzarini's goal of $1,500 in 2013.

Driven by a bit of anger toward the disease that touches us all too often and tempered by a compassionate heart, Balzarini looks forward to a lot of heavy counting days ahead with her girls. They may get sticky in the process, but the end results are well worth the effort.

If you are interested in contributing to the can and bottle drive, e-mail Balzarini at relaycandrive@gmail.com for further details.

The 2013 Relay For Life of Greater Foxboro will take place on June 21-22 at Ahern Middle School. Local teams and participants are actively raising funds and promoting awareness now. If you would like to know more about this event and the American Cancer Society, visit its website at www.relayforlife.org/greaterfoxboro.


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