When Mary was just ten years of age, she lost her mom to colon cancer. Then, in 2019, cancer stole the lives of her two beloved cats and her father. The diagnosis and loss of her parents was devastating. Because of their family history, Mary and her three brothers proactively receive colon cancer screenings every few years and strongly advocate for others to test for this curable form of cancer.
Her cats’ cancer journey came with an additional layer of worry. As a mother to these furry beings who could not voice their experience, it complicated the decision-making process. Answering questions like “How are they feeling?” “Can we afford this?” “Did I do all I could?” “When is it time to say goodbye?” felt difficult and often very isolating.
Mary decided to join the phenomenal group at Czar’s Promise to help others through this experience. This community of caring individuals is your hand to hold – people who went through similarly sad times and confronted these stressful choices. They are also a resource to help financially support your companion’s battle to live their longest, best life. Czar’s Promise knows the unconditional love of an animal, and is there to help you give back to yours in their time of need.
Mary has a pretty Pit Bull named Bellini who loves to dole out French kisses to unsuspecting new best friends, and two mischievous orange kittens named Scotch and Grappa who are fearless explorers. While not a Wisconsin native, Mary easily fell in love with Madison. She and her husband settled into a home in Verona in 2015, ensuring they had a big yard so Bellini could catch Frisbees to her heart’s content. She has two bachelor’s degrees – one in Marketing from the University of Connecticut, and one from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Interior Design. Mary thinks event planning, organization, and lists are fun. She also loves music, lakes, sunshine, sparkles, and traveling the world with her husband whenever possible. As the daughter of a photographer, she can always be found snapping and sharing pictures of whatever is happening in her world.
Financial, educational and emotional support for families whose canines and felines have been diagnosed with cancer and receiving treatment
Grant funding for companion animal cancer research at University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, WI
