Our Stories
Claire Mattern
Claire’s Story
In memory of my beautiful, wonderful sister, Linda, who lost her courageous battle with cancer at the age of 28, I have started this foundation to raise money to help find a cure for cancer. As a cancer survivor myself, I know firsthand that the fear is always there that it could come back. I wanted to find a specific cancer that needs a lot of help, not only for a cure, but to improve earlier detection methods.
As a former smoker, I am extremely concerned about the damage smoking has caused to my body. Since there are few or no symptoms in the early stages of the disease, the majority of lung cancers are diagnosed in the late stages. Even though early detection can save lives, there is currently no approved screening test for lung cancer that has been proven to improve survival or detect localized disease. There are studies underway to find appropriate screening tools. Please help me raise money to improve early detection and find a cure by joining our website, as well as clicking “like” on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Please also watch for information about our upcoming fundraisers. Please feel free to share your stories of courage, memories of loved ones who lost the fight or stories of survival.
Together we will make a difference. Thank you so much for your support!
Anjana Sengupta
Finance Director
Angie’s Story
Cancer is a word, not a sentence. ~ John Diamond
I always reminded myself of this quote as I went through several brushes with cancer of my friends and loved ones.
I met Claire when she was planning “Prelude to a Cure”. We struck a common chord of sharing the pain of losing our loved ones to cancer. The more I came to know Claire the more I admired the courageous person that she is. Losing her sister and being a cancer survivor herself, she was determined to make a difference in the lives of other cancer patients. I pledged to extend my hand to her “Prelude to a Cure” in the hope that I could also help bring back big smiles to as many families as I can.
Cancer continues to remain a dreaded word despite the significant research and progress in its treatment. “Prelude to a Cure” is our humble way to ask you to join us and help us make a difference. Together let us strive to create a world where cancer no longer means living with fear and without hope!
So long as you can sweeten another’s pain, life is not in vain. ~ Helen Keller
Brian Fenlon
Vice-President
Brian’s Story
I have known Claire for over 16 years, we’ve worked together (she was my legal assistant for many years) and we’ve been close friends ever since. The two of us have lived through the ravages cancer has inflicted on her personally and on both our families- – I lost my mom in 1996 to colon cancer. It was an honor and privilege when Claire asked me last year to be a member of Prelude to a Cure’s board of directors. While I’ve attended innumerable charitable events over the years, I felt it was time for me to make a bigger and deeper contribution – – and there is no better place to start than helping to find a cure for cancer. I’ve supported and been proud of Claire’s hard work in fighting this insidious disease, both through Prelude and before. I’m very pleased to be part of Prelude and its mission to make a difference in raising funds for cancer research, for early prevention and awareness, and hopefully finding a cure for Prelude’s targeted cancer, lung cancer.
The longest journey begins with a first step, hope you will join us at Prelude to a Cure in working together to reduce, and eventually, eradicate lung cancer. Thank you.
Brian Glennon
Board Member
Brian’s Story
My mom taught me many things in my life. She is still teaching me even though she is no longer with us. Patricia Glennon died of lung cancer on March 28, 2015. After my mom passed I wanted to get involved in fighting this horrible disease. One of the organizations that supported me and my family during mom’s diagnosis and eventual death was Prelude To A Cure. The mission of PTAC is one that I hold near and dear to my heart. Improved screening methods for early detection, more effective treatments and hopefully one day a cure for lung cancer are the focus points for our organization. Please help me in raising awareness about lung cancer which is the leading cancer killer in both men and women. Thank you for your support.
Kathy Garland
Board Secretary/Events Coordinator
Kathy’s Story
“Dear cancer: I hope one day you’re just a zodiac sign.”
When Claire and I met, we had an instant connection: to help those in need, no matter what the circumstance. I had just returned from a humanitarian mission to Liberia, West Africa, and Claire had recently set up Prelude to a Cure. Claire’s determination and enthusiasm were so infectious, I immediately wanted to become involved! I am so happy I did and I am now honored to be a part of the Prelude to a Cure team.
Denise Kay
Board Member
Denise’s Story
In 2017, my brother Curtis Kay was given the devastating diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer. A few short months later, my partner was asked to sing at the benefit for ‘Rock out Lung Cancer’. It was there that I had the great privilege of meeting Claire, sharing with her my brothers story and she sharing her’s. She explained the mission of Prelude to a Cure and I knew that at some point I would become involved in this mission.
Curtis passed in 2020. He was a lover of music. A disc jockey for 40 years with the radio station 105.5 WDHA and it is in his memory that I am proud to be a part of Prelude to a Cure, helping the fight against lung cancer one note at a time.
Olivia Jagniatkowski
Director of Marketing
Olivia’s Story
Cancer. Who knew that a six letter word like this could put such terror and heartbreak into the lives of every single person in the world. I always heard the word, and I knew what it did to people, but I didn’t realize the impact until I was in my early 20’s. Since then, I have had numerous family members and friends fight this awful disease. I knew something had to be done to stop it, but I didn’t know how. Then in June of 2022, cancer hit me closer than I ever wanted it to. I lost my mother-in-law to tongue and base cancer and that was when I knew I had to do something. 4 days after she passed, Claire came into my life thanks to the law firm we work for, combining all the New Jersey offices into one. Once she told me about this foundation, and its fight to find a cure, I knew that I found my passion. Claire is allowing me to help people in ways I never thought I could. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this foundation. I’m optimistic for the future.