Fundraiser For Baionno Family

Meet Deborah (Deb) Baionno.  She’s a 39 year old power house of a woman; a hard working, kind, pragmatic person whose family is the center of her life.  

She’s an all American girl, raised in the wilds of South Dakota, moving to the east coast only after meeting and marrying Dave Baionno, her husband of 11 years.  Dave adopted Deb’s two boys, Dustin and Brandon, and together, they had three more children: Isabella (Bella), Leyla, and Chance.  

Dave is originally from Delaware County and was raised in Havertown, PA (HHS Class of 1992).  His roots in the area, and hers by association, run deep.  While living here, Deb worked for The Bryn Mawr Trust Company in the customer service department, where her knack for friendly efficiency made a lasting impression on everyone she met.  Both left many friends behind when they moved to southern New Jersey, for Dave’s then-job.  That job is no more.  

Deb has always been very active in helping others, through her woman’s group, and through Meals on Wheels, Adopt-A-Road, and Breast Cancer Bridge.  She also did presentations about banking at local schools.  This past fall, Deb organized a breast cancer awareness initiative through her employer, Harvest Bank in NJ.  All the women (and men) who came into the bank were given information about breast self examination and mammography.  

Deb decided to get checked out even though she hadn’t reached age 40, the year recommended by the National Cancer Institute for a woman’s ‘baseline’ mammography.  Her decision proved to be a very good one. On December 26, 2010, while many of us were enjoying the holiday season, Deb was diagnosed with breast cancer.  The cancer had already spread to her lymph nodes so she began aggressive treatments at Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ. 

She had only two Chemotherapy treatments when she suffered a mild stroke in the first week of February.  Deb’s eyesight and gait were affected, but with much work and sustained effort on her part, the treatments were continued a few weeks later.   Her treatments will last at least a year, and because of their intensity, she has been recuperating and unable to work.  

The Baionno family has had a number of deep concerns over the past six months, aside from Deb’s illness.  Dave's parents moved in with the family because their apartment in Broomall flooded, and they lost all of their belongings. 

Mr. Baionno Sr. had a stroke in the beginning of January, and his condition gradually worsened until he quietly passed away in early March.  In the middle of all this, the Baionno's young daughter Bella had an overnight stay at DuPont Hospital, where she had surgery for removal of benign cysts in her neck.  
Dave has not been at his new job long enough to have paid days off.  So he has been taking unpaid leave from work in order to care for Deb, his Dad, and the children. He is doing his best to be a husband, father, son, cheerleader, hand holder, nurse, cook, housekeeper, disciplinarian, referee, chauffeur, tutor - you name it.  

Their aim as a family is to help Deb stay positive, gain strength, and most importantly, to help her beat the cancer that is trying to gain the upper hand.   But cancer has met its match this time, because Deb is not going to back down, no matter what!   Those who know this courageous woman understand her fierce determination to beat this disease.  Her friends and those who have been touched by her many acts of service intend to help her do just that!  This is where you come in ...

You can attend the benefit planned for April 16, 2011, at the St Denis Gym, 300 E Eagle Road, Havertown, PA, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

All proceeds will go directly to the Baionno Family. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at www.HelpDebBootCancer.org, or by calling Louise Jeffers at her office, 610-527-7540 Ext 3 or by mailing a check made payable to the Baionno Family Fund, to The Baionno Family Fund, c/o 1084 E. Lancaster Avenue, Rosemont, PA 19010. Together, we can Help Deb Boot Cancer!