Cardillo benefit raises funds for research, education
By Jennifer Chumsae Contributing Writer

Determined to help others who have breast cancer, Tammy Cardillo raises money for research and awareness of the disease through her annual fund-raiser. Also a breast cancer survivor, her mother, Carol Schwab, is active in the effort. Together they hold a check for $265,000, the amount raised in five years of fund-raisers. PHOTO/JENN CHUMSAE

Region - Breast cancer survivor and Northborough native Tammy Cardillo will host the fifth annual Tammy Cardillo Benefit, also known as "Taking Care of Business," at White Cliff s in Northborough Friday Oct. 19 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

The event will raise money for breast cancer research and build awareness about the disease.

Cardillo, a graduate of Algonquin Regional High School and Nichols College, has been working for Hewlett-Packard for the past 17 years. She lives in Palm Harbor, Fla., but also has a house in Shrewsbury so she can come home to visit friends, family and to continue her passion of raising awareness throughout the community for breast cancer.

This is her fifth annual benefit and she has raised more than a quarter of a million dollars for breast cancer research.

"It's not about the money," she said. "It's about building awareness and educating others about the disease."

Cardillo detected her own cancer at age 31 while doing a self breast exam. She stressed the importance for young women to do this because it's not until age 35 that a woman typically gets a base-line mammogram done. By then it would have been too late, she said. That's what drives her to educate women.

"To me it's just getting people [to understand] the importance of doing self breast exams," Cardillo said.

The disease has changed her outlook on life, she said. Her own diagnosis came two years after her mother, Carol Shwab, was diagnosed at age 50 with the same disease.

The mother-daughter duo works tireless hours to educate and support others who have with breast cancer.

"We really have taken this from a devastating situation to something positive. It's my way of giving back," Cardillo said.

Part of that is being available to other women who have the disease, even if it is just to listen and off er some positive words.

"My advice to women who have been diagnosed with this disease is to educate themselves, stay positive and be comfortable with their doctor when choosing their path of treatment," Cardillo said.

One thing that was difficult for Cardillo was that she had no peers to talk to when she was diagnosed; she was young, single and still dating. How would she explain hair loss and radiation treatments to a date, she wondered. Now, however, she is engaged.

The fund-raiser

This year's event at White Cliff s will include auctions and raffles for prizes such as a vacation to West Palm Beach, Fla., at a five-star resort. Tickets to New England Patriots and Red Sox games will also be raffled and a table of sports memorabilia will be on display.

The event will include a buffet dinner with carving stations serving beef, pasta, turkey and vegetables. A disc jockey will be there for entertainment, and Cardillo will speak. Tickets are $50. Guests and businesses are invited to sponsor tables in memory, in honor or in support of someone who has had breast cancer.

Proceeds go toward the Dana Faber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Breast Cancer Research.

Cardillo constantly works to support research for breast cancer.

"October is breast cancer month," she said, "but it's not just one month of the year we should focus on this disease, it should be each and every day."

To get more information or to sponsor a table, contact Cardillo at tammycardillobenefit@yahoo.com. Also check tcbannual.com for updates on the benefit.