Michele Zini was diagnosed with stage IV Inflammatory Breast Cancer in 2000 only days after her mother passed away from Pancreatic Cancer. Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) is an especially aggressive type of breast cancer that can occur in women of any age. It is called inflammatory because it frequently presents with symptoms resembling an inflammation and for this reason it is frequently misdiagnosed. This is the information that Michele wanted to share with all women. Although there may be variable signs and symptoms, tumors are commonly undetected in mammography or ultrasound. Michele knew something was wrong, she was constantly tired and had visual symptoms, but attributed it all to the stress from dealing with her mother’s illness and passing. Her message to everyone would be to listen to your body. You know when something isn’t right, be your own medical advocate because your life depends on it.
Michele’s prognosis was grim. After 5 years, in August of 2005 she passed away at the age of 46. Michele was the owner and operator of the Alpine Swirl in Peckville, although this was just a very small piece of the person Michele was. Her most important roles in her life were being a mother to her two children, Rose and Antonio, and a wife to her husband, Leo. She had a strong commitment to family and friends and fought hard for so long to provide memories for them to cherish.
Throughout her life, Michele was generous, not only monetarily, but spiritually and emotionally. She was a treasure to be around and always managed to put a smile on everyone’s face. After Michele had passed, her good friends and neighbors, “The girls on Jenna Kay Drive” got together and decided that Michele’s life needed to be remembered in a big way. They came up with the idea of Michele’s Ladies in Pink to honor not only Michele but all others who fought or are fighting breast cancer.
The 1st Ladies in Pink Party, held in 2007, drew close to 100 women and generated a nice donation which was made to the American Cancer Society. The success of this small gathering prompted the continuance of the event and it has become an annual event. The committee grew in number, the event got bigger, and the donations became greater. It was decided that proceeds will benefit local women suffering from breast cancer, which was really what Michele would want. There was also a scholarship fund created in Michele’s memory at the Valley View High School. As the years passed everything grew larger and this year we are anticipating close to 500 will be attending the event. This growth funded by all the generous businesses and individuals has made it possible not only to increase the scholarship but to allow the committee to make small monetary donations to families throughout NEPA which are being affected by any type of cancer. Michele’s spirit of charity and her willingness to help others is not gone or forgotten, it lives on from what she has taught the “Ladies in Pink”.
“I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do.”
“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” – Mark Twain