Lucia's Angels

While I’m moving, maybe you’d like to take a look at what else I’m working on- it’s the Lucia’s Angels foundation. We’re starting the first chapter locally, here on Eastern Long Island and have big hopes of reaching many women and their families across the country. Thanks in advance for reading!

Providing comfort and support to women and families going through the final stages of breast cancer.


Mission Statement:
Lucia’s Angels is a new foundation, under the umbrella of the South Fork Breast Health Coalition, created in loving memory of Lucia Terzi Bagan. Lucia was a very giving person- not only of the material sense but also of herself and her heart. It’s no wonder she had so many friends and family surrounding her in her final days. It’s Lucia’s wish that other women and their families could have that same kind of love and support through their toughest times.

Lucia’s Angels can provide assistance to women and families going through the final stages of breast cancer*. From last wishes like one more trip to the beach, to providing extra child-care, to the holding of a hand, Lucia’s spirit and Angels will be there.

Lucia’s Angels believes it’s very important to support and encourage women going through breast cancer to strive for healing and wellness. There are already several charities in place for breast cancer research, awareness and early detection, and support through treatment and healing. Currently, there are no charitable organizations to help end-stage breast cancer patients. Lucia’s Angels would like to be there for women and families going through this often-harrowing time of need.

Menu of Services**:

Individual Services:

Hair Styling
Manicures and Pedicures
Massage
Music Therapy
Ambulatory Trip
Meals
Other wishes or needs


Family Services***:

Meals
Child Care
Recreational Classes for Children
Clothing for Children
Other wishes or needs


*Women eligible for Lucia’s Angels support are those women who: live on the Eastern End of Long Island, have breast cancer, are eligible for Hospice-type services.

**Lucia’s Angels provides funding for the outsourced services listed and may or may not participate in the arranging or scheduling of said services.

***Family services may continue up to 30 days after the passing of their loved one.

As many of you already may know, my best friend, Lucia Terzi Bagan recently lost her three-and-a-half-year battle with breast cancer. It’s not that she wasn’t a fighter. In fact, she was one of the strongest, most giving, loving and independent “doers” that I know. She was always the one to organize our “girls” dinners, trips and birthday celebrations. She sent hand-embroidered thank you notes for having a simple chicken dinner at my house. She bought presents for everyone she knows for each birthday, anniversary, baptism, Bar Mitzvah, confirmation, graduation, baby naming, memorial or holiday.

Lucia and I became really close during our second pregnancies. We shared every baby kick, bout of heartburn, horrormonal hysteria and hating our husbands. Later, we even shared those precious times just wondering at our newborn babies.

While breastfeeding together one day Lucia asked, “Have you ever had a blocked milk duct?” Yes, I had. They’re usually quite painful. Her lump wasn’t painful. “Feel this. What do you think?” she had asked. I leaned over and felt the hard node on her breast. It felt solid and black and cold. It was cancer.

Lucia was never one to complain and she took on the task of managing her treatments and life the best she could without burdening her family or friends. She would pretend to be well, show up at my house to help me cook for a dinner party and then sneak off to the bathroom to be sick. She never wanted to put a damper on anyone’s good time.

Over time Lucia became much more sick and did finally accept some help from her family and friends.
We tried our best to be there for her kids and her doctors’ appointments. When she was moved to the hospice facility, we took turns visiting her and spending over-nights to make sure she was never alone. We fixed her hair and nails, gave her massages, read to her and brought her all her favorite foods, lotions and flowers. We provided dinners and play dates for the kids. We arranged an ambulance ride so that she could spend one last day at her home in Southampton. We tried our best to just be there for her, like she was for us, throughout our lives.

Lucia was also a huge advocate of the local Breast Health Coalitions and was very involved in many fundraisers, to her dying day. Lucia had me take over collecting local donations for Ellen’s Run this year. Even though she could barely speak, she told me what stores to visit, how much to ask for and that I absolutely must, “play the cancer card.”

“You tell them that I’m dying and that they must give,” she said.

So, on Lucia’s behalf, I’m asking you now- Please find it in your hearts to give a very generous donation to Lucia’ Angels to help support other women and families suffering from end-stage breast cancer. There are currently three families on the East End, including Lucia’s, that are very much in need of Lucia’s Angels help.
Thanks so much.

Sincerely,
Stacy Quarty

Donations can be mailed to:
South Fork Breast Health Coalition
Lucia’s Angels
35 Farmstead Lane
Water Mill, NY 11976

For more info go to: www.LuciasAngels.org