JoAnn Esposito

Challenging Cancer with Charity

JoAnn Esposito was a stage four breast cancer survivor who also fought the disease by raising funds for crucial breast cancer research. 

She was diagnosed in March of 2003 after a lump in her neck was removed to determine she had metastatic breast cancer. JoAnn underwent nine rounds of Carboplatinum and Taxotere and received Herceptin every three weeks.

Inspired by his mother and her experience with cancer treatment, JoAnn's son Brian founded the charity Par for the Cure. Par for the Cure benefits breast cancer research at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center under the direction of Dr. Dennis Slamon. Coincidentally, Dr. Slamon grew up in JoAnn's hometown of New Castle, PA and was very instrumental in JoAnn's treatment with Herceptin. 

Since its inception in 2005, Par for The Cure has raised more than $625,000 for breast cancer research at UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

JoAnn said the charity kept her active and she loved to reach out to women who had been diagnosed and needed someone to talk to. She was extremely proud of her son and what they have been able to accomplish in the past few years with the Par for the Cure charity that is so near to her heart.

"I thank God for Dr. Slamon and the work being done to help us all," she said.