| R 171 |
| 2024 -- H 8100 Enacted 03/26/2024 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| CELEBRATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE GLORIA GEMMA BREAST CANCER RESOURCE FOUNDATION ON JULY 15, 2004 |
Introduced By: Representatives Alzate, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Stewart, Cruz, Felix, Shallcross Smith, Ajello, and Messier |
| Date Introduced: March 26, 2024 |
| WHEREAS, Located on Roosevelt Avenue in the City of Pawtucket, the Gloria Gemma |
| Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that for the past two decades has been providing |
| free services to individuals and families by offering comfort, support, and access to resources for |
| those going through the most difficult challenges of their lives; and |
| WHEREAS, Founded in 2004, the Foundation was named in memory of Gloria Gemma, |
| a wife and mother of nine who lost her life to breast cancer in 2002. In 2008, the Foundation |
| opened its Resource and Wellness Center, and Gloria’s eldest daughter, Maria Gemma-Corcelli |
| was named Executive Director; and |
| WHEREAS, Serving communities in Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts and |
| eastern Connecticut, the primary areas of focus for the Foundation are awareness and education. |
| In addition, they have developed and implemented numerous free, holistic programs and services; |
| and |
| WHEREAS, Currently, the Foundation employs six full-time staff and one additional |
| part-time worker, but the difference they have made in myriad peoples’ lives belies their lesser |
| size; and |
| WHEREAS, Utilizing in-person and virtual options, the Foundation’s mission is to |
| “celebrate and nurture life in our local community before, during and after a cancer diagnosis by |
| providing education, access to wellness resources and support programs to all those touched by |
| cancer”; and |
| WHEREAS, For those going through the trauma of breast cancer, the Gloria Gemma |
| Foundation has been an invaluable resource. With compassion and understanding, doled out with |
| a generous dose of hugs, the Gloria Gemma Foundation has been helping to mend the mind, |
| body, and spirits of countless women over the past twenty years and they are eminently deserving |
| of our recognition and gratitude; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the founding of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource |
| Foundation, and moreover thanks them and wishes them many more decades of guidance and |
| support to a grateful citizenry; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Maria Gemma Corcelli, Executive Director of |
| the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation. |
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| LC005738 |
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