FWOTM: Clare Bongiovanni, Making a Strong Local Impact on Breast Cancer Awareness

“It takes a village to raise a child.” Many of us have heard this popular African proverb made infamous by Hillary Clinton’s partial use of it in her 1996 book title. All too many of us have also experienced that it takes a village to support a woman affected by breast cancer. That’s why this month, in light of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we elected Clare Bongiovanni, Breast Cancer Survivor & Darien Chamber of Commerce CEO, as our Fierce Woman of the Month. Clare has found a way to weave her personal experience of surviving breast cancer with her hard earned career position to help other members of the Darien, IL community affected by this second leading cause of death amongst women.

We first heard about Clare through the great store managers at the Fruitful Yield in Darien, IL, one of our favorite health food retail chains in the Chicagoland suburbs carrying Maxim Hygiene Products. Clare had reached out to Fruitful Yield to help arrange healthy product donations from vendors like us for gift bag goodies giveaways at their most popular local town festival called the DarienFest. Naturally, we donated cases of our 3-in-1 Cosmetic Accessory Travel Packs, but more interesting for us was the story the inspired ladies at Fruitful Yield shared with us about the fierce woman behind the cause and the reason for her efforts.

Clare is a seven year breast cancer survivor. Earlier this year she came up with the idea to invite local Darien artists to create and design Adirondack Chairs to auction off at DarienFest to help raise money to provide meals to women in Darien going through breast cancer treatment. The meals will be provided by local Chamber member restaurants, helping both the business and women affected by breast cancer. The success of this charity at last month’s event led to the City of Darien is celebrating “Paint the Town Pink” which is in conjunction with providing meals to the affected women. This will become an annual event and the awareness will continue to grow.

Below is a little Q&A session we had with Clare to help further inspire you to be fierce in your efforts this month for raising awareness for breast cancer awareness. Every little bit counts and we want to hear about it so make sure to comment below with what you’re doing in your local community to raise awareness. All who comment will receive a $1.00 off coupon for their next Maxim Hygiene product purchase.

At Maxim Hygiene, we define a Fierce Woman as a “glorious female creature whose idea of beauty is hinged upon the idea that she can change the world with each choice, each moment and each breath of her life.” Who in your life is a Fierce Woman and why? 

My Mother is the Fierce Woman in my life. My Mother came to the USA from Sicily at the age of 16 on a boat with only the clothes she wore on her back. She first settled in New York without knowing anyone or able to speak the language. She was Fierce and determined to make a new life in this country. Her struggles were unspeakable but she was a fighter and had dreams.  She went to school, learned the language and worked to help support her Mom and siblings.  She married at the age of 19 and continued to work hard to fulfill her dreams to someday having children and owning a home.  There was never a job she couldn’t perform, she would always figure it out and give 150% and determined to succeed, whether it was working the night shift to care for her children during the day or working the school year so she could be home with them in the summer she found a way to make it work, her children are her life and will continue to be till she takes her last breath.  Multi-tasking was part of her daily agenda and continues to be at the age of 82. My Mom…. the best role model I could have ever been blessed with.  She made me the woman I am today.

What inspired the theme of your latest “Adirondack Chairs” auction event to raise money for those affected by breast cancer?

Earlier this year I presented my idea of the Adirondack Chair auction to Darien Chamber Women in business, they loved the idea. With the help of local Chamber businesses and local artists the plan stayed on schedule and the auction was a big success.  I remember what it was like and how I felt during my breast cancer treatment, I was a single Mom with young boys and all I could think of was how I was going to cook for them when I didn’t feel well, I was fortunate to have friends to help me out at times sending meals to my family. When I hear of a woman who has been diagnosed with cancer the first thing I think of is how will she cook and feed her children while she’s going through treatment?  It saddens me to hear another woman having to go through treatment but gives me joy to be able to give back to them by providing the family a meal.

What advice do you have for other breast cancer survivors looking to initiate their own efforts and charities to raise awareness and funds for the cause?

I would recommend following your heart from your own personal experience. Each individual goes through their own personal struggle and can give back to others from their heart.

Of all the many wonderful breast cancer awareness groups out there, why is the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization your favorite?

I never thought I would hear the words “you have breast cancer” upon being diagnosed in 2007 I started doing my own breast cancer research and came across the Susan G. Komen website, part of their mission is to save lives and end breast cancer forever, immediately I knew I needed to learn more and support the organization.

What was the best help you received from others during the time you were battling breast cancer?

The best help I received from others were all the prayers, emotional support and help with my two boys. The nurses, and complete strangers at the hospital were my daily support; each morning as I raised my left arm up the Radiologist nurses would  embraced me with their smile and strength.  My fondest memory was on my last day of treatment my co-workers had a celebration for me which was my celebration of life.