Annabelle Rie
2011 Honoree
Philanthropist
‘Thank you for helping my Aunt Dee Dee,’ began the first letter I received from Annabelle Rie, then age four. Her aunt, Christine Franzese, is in my care for metastatic breast cancer. Annabelle’s note explained how for her birthday, instead of presents, she had asked her friends and family to donate money for breast cancer research at Mass General.
When Annabelle turned five, she again asked her parents to withhold birthday gifts and donate more money to Mass General for breast cancer research.
Now Annabelle is seven years old and I am honored to have become the ‘girlfriend’ of this extraordinary child. She frequently accompanies her aunt to her chemotherapy appointments at Mass General and is full of smiles and hugs whenever she visits us. Instead of being afraid of doctors, nurses and hospitals, she views us as allies in keeping her aunt well.
Annabelle has maturity and heart that far exceeds her young age. She is proud to be one of the youngest warriors against breast cancer and one of the youngest philanthropists. Annabelle Rie is an inspiration and a role model to everyone, young or old.
—Beverly Moy, MD
View the 2012 Honorees
Diane Stokes
Elaine Kreconus
Eyal C. Attar, MD
Francis J. McGovern, MD
Lisa Goggin
Antoinette Lavino, RPh, BCOP
Andrew’s Helpful Hands
Ellen Slater
Noreen Murphy, RN, OCN
Lena Canaj’s Treatment Team
Dennis A. Ausiello, MD
Sally Johnson
Sandra Pugsley, RN
Rick Fingerman, CFP, CDFA
Joyce Kulhawik
Jeff Guyer
Saint Baldrick’s Foundation and Its Volunteers
TargetCancer, Inc. and Paul Poth
Thomas W. Maguire and Family
Hyundai Hope on Wheels
Cancer Center Financial Care Coordination Pilot Team
Richard Kronish, PhD
Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, Gretchen Holt Witt and Larry Witt, Founders
Patricia Wrixon
Christine Shaughnessy, RN
Anthony Provazza, MSW, LICSW
Michael J. Duffy, III
Cathy McGrath, Maureen Cardinal
Padma Gulur, MBBS
Bonnie Pfeifer Evans
Mass General honors 100 individuals and groups for their diverse contributions to the fight against cancer.
There is strength in numbers and Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center proves this each year. the one hundred is the Cancer Center’s annual fundraiser, honoring 100 individuals and groups whose diligence and discoveries, philanthropy and passion have helped advance the fight against cancer. Funds raised at the gala support research, patient care, education and community outreach programs. Meet the Honorees.
