Foundation President Honored by ACS

The President of the Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation, Mario Faulisi, has been named as an honoree by the American Cancer Society (ACS) for the First Annual Howard Beach Relay for Life to be held on June 13th – 14th at Charles Park.

Event chairs Phyllis Inserillo and Melissa Fochetta along with Special Events manager for the ACS, John Link, were on hand Tuesday night at the membership meeting of the Foundation to announce their decision.

“The Event Planning committee of the 1st Annual Howard Beach Relay for Life is proud to announce that the Relay will be named in honor of Mario Faulisi for his courageous battle with cancer, his victory over the disease and his constant dedication to the community,” said Inserillo. “It is people with his integrity that make Howard Beach the community it is.”

Faulisi was diagnosed last year with a rare and aggressive lymphoma and has recently completed a successful course of chemotherapy and radiation. “I am blessed with the opportunity to help get the word out,” said Faulisi. “You can battle this disease and you can win, but everyone who encounters cancer needs as much help as they can get.”

Foundation member and media personality, Valerie Smaldone, was on hand to congratulate Faulisi on his honor and also to encourage participation in the event. “I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer about 8 years ago. I came from a time when that meant death, but due to the tremendous research efforts and the development of medication and therapy, we are seeing more survivors.”

In his honor the Foundation has made a $5,000 donation to the Howard Beach Relay and will act as one of the event's corporate sponsors. “It’s a really great thing when we can not only honor a survivor, but help so many other people,” said Angelo Gurino, the Foundation treasurer.

The Foundation encourages all Howard Beach residents to bring their friends and family to the event in June in support of this cause. For more information please contact the Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation at 718-738-7035 or e-mail Howardbeachrelay@aol.com.