Finding a cure. That's what the Polsinelli family spends hours working toward each year.
Since 2004, they've raised more than $56,000, all in memory of their family member Ria.
Ria was a sister to Anthony, a best friend to Denise, and an Aunt to their two girls, Gabriella and Christina. Gabriella, was very close with her.
"Before she was diagnosed, I never knew anything about breast cancer, In fact, I don't think we ever worried about something like that until she was diagnosed, and then it's oh my gosh, you know this could happen to anyone," Gabriella said.
She started researching and it sparked something in her. She told all of her friends at school about the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, urging them to go to the race, and do their research so they could be prepared and know the symptoms.
Gabriella was working toward a goal. It hit Denise and Anthony in a different way.
"She had surgery, radiation, chemo, then she went into remission," Denise had to watch the pain of cancer, and how it broke Ria's spirit.
Denise said she went to high school with Ria. She remembers how they joked around and how Ria could be a shower hog and take hours to get ready to go out.
When they grew up and Denise became a part of the family, it was a dream come true.
In OCtober of 2003, the news came.
"We were actually at the nursing home and she told me in the bathroom," Denise said she was heartbroken. That day she watched her husband tell his brothers that Ria had breast cancer.
The family went to two Komen races together. They said they'll never forget watching Ria cross the finish line. There was an energy in the air.
Gabriella said each person at the race had a connection to this disease, whether they were a survivor, a brother, sister, mother, father, or friend of someone who had cancer.
Ria's breast cancer went into remission. It came back, first in her neck, then her liver.
"The first week she had her spirit, but then the second week she had no energy, i didn't go see her in the end, because I wanted to remember her in good times," Denise said.
It was a tragedy for the family that still brings tears to their eyes.
Gabriella didn't stop fundraising when she lost her aunt. She saw it as an opportunity to give back and help other families so they don't have to go through the same experience.
"I'm helping people all year round not just at a tough time, it continues and it will always be there for people that need us," Gabriella said.
The family first sent out mailers to friends and family that tell Ria's story and have a stamped envelope enclosed asking for any money they can spare.
