Our Mission:
Our mission is to provide care and support to local families affected by cancer. We recognize that a cancer diagnosis affects every aspect of a family’s life; emotional, physical, spiritual and financial. We strive to provide a family with whatever it is that will allow them a bit of “breathing room” from their daily struggle against cancer. It is our hope that this will allow them to concentrate all of their efforts towards regaining their physical health.
Our Start
Established in February of 1997, The Breathing Room Foundation was founded by Bernard and Diane Fitzgerald as a response to the overwhelming support from their family and friends with their six year battle with cancer.
“As my wife waged her six year battle with cancer, I witnessed first hand the destruction of this disease. During that same time, I witnessed first hand the comfort of care. With each diagnosis, as cancer attacked her breast, lymph nodes, lungs, spine, and brain, there were the gifts. Diane, our children, and I were the recipients of so many gifts. With each gift we heard the words ‘I care.’ At one of our darkest moments, we received a visit from a friend who offered us great comfort. It was at that time, Diane confided in me, ‘…sometimes I think I’m going to be cured, and this cancer will go away. That may not happen, but I think I’m being cured in other ways.’
“I have thanked so many people for such gifts that I wonder if a thank you from me means anything. The words as I say them sound insincere. The best way I can show my gratitude is to do similar things for others as were done for us. When our foundation helps someone renovate their home or send someone on vacation or offers presents to children we hear ‘thank you.’ With each opportunity to help others, I am saying thank you.
“We were in a battle between care and disease. This battle did not start with us. Others before us waged such a battle, and it does not end with us. I ask you to join me with this foundation because I assure you I am not done fighting. ”
– Bernie Fitzgerald Co-Founder
Mary Ellen Fitzgerald
Director
Mary Ellen Fitzgerald is Director of The Breathing Room Foundation. She has been an active member of the board of directors of the foundation since 1997, the year that the organization was created. She now holds the position of Director.
Just three months before her sister Diane Fitzgerald lost her battle against breast cancer, she and her husband Bernie asked some of their closest friends and family members to help them make their vision (TBRF) come to fruition.
Mary Ellen says, “I am honored to be able to help carry out my sister’s legacy. I could not be more proud of the work of The Breathing Room Foundation and am grateful everyday for having the opportunity to be a part of it. The words of gratitude that I hear from the families that we serve are a true testament to the life that my sister lived. She lived her life to serve others and with TBRF she continues to do that even after her passing.”
Mary Ellen resides in Abington, Pa with her husband Paul (brother to co-founder Bernie Fitzgerald) and four children. She has also been a radiologic technician at Abington Memorial Hospital for 20 years.
Eileen Carissimi
Volunteer Coordinator
Eileen Carissimi is the Volunteer Coordinator of The Breathing Room Foundation. She is an irreplaceable piece of the puzzle that makes this foundation work and volunteers over 40 hours a week of her time to match volunteers to the needs of the families that are served by The Breathing Room. Eileen has great compassion for those in need and the desire to make a difference. She knows firsthand the impact that a cancer diagnosis has on a family so can relate to the emotional and physical needs that they are faced with on a daily basis. Eileen is like an angel to many of the families as she works to provide them with exactly what is needed at any particular time; their house cleaned, a hot meal on the table, their lawn mowed, or just a kind voice on the other end of the phone.
No one thinks more highly of Eileen than the foundation’s Executive Director, Mary Ellen Fitzgerald. She states, “Eileen has such a strong passion for the mission and is able to relay that to others so that they become immediately “hooked” and committed to making an impact on the families that we serve. The growth in the number of volunteers working with the organization is a true testament to Eileen’s hard work and dedication. We now have over 375 active volunteers.”
Eileen spends much of her free time with her husband and four children but also enjoys traveling, the arts and spending time with her friends.
Tina Rock
Office Administrator
Tina Rock is the Office Administrator for the Breathing Room Foundation. She is an outstanding and necessary asset to the organization’s success. In a busy non-profit, it is critical to be organized and thorough and Tina works tirelessly to be sure that happens. She keeps the office running smoothly, helping in every aspect of the work of the foundation.
Tina gives a great deal of her time and energy and is committed to the mission of the Breathing Room Foundation. She spreads the word and has great pride in her work and the impact that the foundation has on the community in which she lives. We simply could not accomplish what we do here at the Breathing Room office if it were not for the skills that Tina brings to the table. She is a team player and her energy and dedication is admirable.
Tina spends much of her free time with her husband and three children but also enjoys spending time at the beach with her family.
