May 12, 2006 10:07 am US/Eastern
An Inspirational Story Of Survival
by Susan Barnett
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Tens of thousands are expected to participate in Sunday's 16th annual "Race for the Cure". Many of those who will walk or run have inspirational stories to tell. Susan Barnett spoke with one breast cancer survivor, who after being diagnosed feared financial ruin, because of mounting medical bills.
"Went for my first routine mammogram June 11th of last year and found out a few days later that I had breast cancer," said breast cancer survivor Giovanna Rullo.
37-year-old Giovanna Rullo got the gut-wrenching news, last year, after having just started a new job at "Stradley Ronon", a Philadelphia law firm.
"I had also just moved into a new place in the city. So, you know, the mortgage was a concern, my car, just everything was a major concern," said Giovanna Rullo.
You'd never have known she had problems, by the smile on her face. But inside she was terrified of losing her job and not having any disability benefits, until the unbelievable happened.
"I had sat down with the executive director of the firm and um, personnel here and they told me they were going to carry my insurance for me," said Giovanna.
"I mean, you got two choices, you can say 'there's the door' or you can say 'what can I do to help you," said Gillian Facher, Executive Direrctor of Stradley & Ronon.
And Giovanna's boss, Lisa Duda, agrees with the company's executive director.
"This is the type of firm that we have here. It's a caring firm," said Duda.
This family-type firm also put their heads and hearts together and helped raise $18K for Giovanna.
"They just opened their hearts to me and it's been wonderful," said Giovanna.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
