old team page | The Pink Chair Proje

Founder/President

Cara Spath

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate my 5 year “ Cancer Free” anniversary than beginning this new venture with my daughter and an amazing group of women. As a Breast Cancer survivor I know personally how beneficial a reclining chair can be for a patient after having a double mastectomy and I am eager to be able to provide this resource for patients in need. In addition to being a wife, mother to three awesome children and our two dogs, I also own my own cosmetic tattoo business. I provide a sense of self and a sense of fulfillment, by tattooing 3D areolas and eyebrows to patients after treatment. I couldn’t imagine a more rewarding career, meeting these amazing woman, hearing their stories and making a difference in the way someone feels everyday. I am also the Founder/organizer of “A Day of Hope”, in which we pamper patients and survivors that have been affected by breast cancer with free spa treatments.

Everything happens for a reason and being diagnosed with cancer at 41 has put my life and the lives of those I love into perspective. I was blessed with such amazing support from friends and family during my recovery, this is just one small step to repaying that gratitude.

Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud. - Maya Angelou

Treasurer

Kathleen Tarascio

I’m a wife of 24 years; a proud mother of two daughters; daughter In-law; sister; aunt & friend these are the major roles within my life. Throughout my life I’ve known many who have battled cancer and when my good friend Cara reached out and asked me to be treasurer of The Pink Chair Project I was truly honored. I have known Cara since we were young, as Cara loves telling people “Kathleen she was my babysitter.” I am looking forward to working with the group of talented and compassionate women on this adventure, while having the opportunity to support my friend in this amazing journey of supporting breast cancer patients.

“At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished…it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” – Denzel Washington

VP of Communications

Megan Lynn

When your sister tells you she's starting up a Non-Profit to support breast cancer patients, you don't think twice, you jump in with both feet. I am lucky enough to be surrounded by strong women who have all beat breast cancer. Giving back, raising awareness and fundraising have always been a big part of my life, most recently with the March of Dimes. Now I am excited to be a part of The Pink Chair Project, looking forward to making a difference and changing lives, one chair at a time.

By day, I'm Marketing and Inside Sales for The Siemon Company, by night I'm Brownie Troop leader, wife, mother of 7, grandmother of 2 and loving every second of my blessed, crazy busy life.

Recording Secretary

Jean Kallay

Throughout my lifetime, I have been fortunate to be surrounded by strong and remarkable women. This includes Cara, who battled Breast Cancer with grace and courage (with a splash of style and sense of humor); and my cousin,Tina Marie, who does not let Breast Cancer define her, and continues to fight while advocating and motivating others. Both of these women have inspired me to join to the Pink Chair Project.

When not spending time with my family and friends, I am the Director of the Burnham Library and a first-year graduate student at Valdosta State University. I am honored to serve with the other women on this board.

New Haven County Coordinator

Shanna Hampton

I am currently the Director of Quality Assurance for a small IT company in the DC metropolitan area, Community Volunteer, Wife and Mother. My family moved to Southbury 3 years ago and I was fortunate enough to meet Cara while volunteering at our children’s school. Immediately, I found myself drawn to her personality and later, inspired, as I learned of her battle with cancer. Cancer is a beast and I’ve yet to meet anyone that has not been touched in one way or another. Knowing this, I was flattered to be asked to join an organization that will be dedicated in providing comfort. I am committed to helping individuals and families dealing with Cancer in any capacity I can.

Emmie Spath

Breast Cancer runs in my family, my mother, grandmother and both great grandmothers. This is why I have partnered up with my mom to run this organization. When people ask me what the biggest impact on my life has been, I always say the day my Mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I was only 10 years old at the time and I didn’t fully understand what was happening, but I still offered my endless support to her. I can proudly say that my mom has been cancer free for five years and it brought me the thing I am most proud of. I am currently a sophomore at Pomperaug High School. I live at home with my parents, two older brothers and my dogs gunner and snuggles.

Kristen Gill

I am a Mom of two beautiful daughters, Alexa and Avery who are my inspiration, my strength, my everything. I have been challenged with and have had the awesome opportunity to be a teacher in the Bridgeport Public School district for the past 15 years.

Having a family of strong women and a role model of a mother that is a lifelong pilanthropist always providing for those in need she has motivated me to do the same and find ways to give back to others. So when life long friends and childhood neighbors Cara and Megan told me about The Pink Chair Project, I gladly jumped on board. Looking forward to helping this organization grow and provide confort for those strong women in need.

Donna Cremin

Much of my life has been spent in the role of a caregiver. I have a 25+ year career as a Physical Therapist, I am a proud mother of 3 boys and step mom of 2 more, a wife and a licensed massage therapist. I loved and supported both my father and my first husband as they fought and lost their battles with cancer and cheered for my mom as she beat breast cancer with a strength and grace that I so admire.

I have shifted my career focus to specialize in Oncology Massage in my own private practice and to provide Lymphedema Therapy and Breast Cancer Rehab at an outpatient PT clinic. I came to realize that although I can not treat or cure cancer, I can provide comfort and help with recovery for those battling cancer and the effects of its treatment. I am awed and inspired every day by stories of strength, faith and courage and am grateful to be involved in The Pink Chair Project, providing women with power recliner chairs to ease their recovery at home after breast cancer surgery.

Gina Farra

I am a Special Education Tutor in Shelton. Since moving back to Connecticut in 2012, much of my volunteer work has centered on our public school system. The Pink Chair Project is a great opportunity for me to give more to a very special sector of our community who can use direction from those who have “been there,” as well as some pampering from amazing women who truly care about others.

I met Cara Spath during our volunteer work together on the PTO at Gainfield Elementary School. I watched her battle cancer like a champ, and I could not have been happier when she approached me to help with The Pink Chair Project. So many women in my life have been affected by breast cancer, most notably my younger sister, Kelly.

My hope is that by working on this project, I’m able to give back a little of the love and support that so many people shared with my family during our hard times. I can offer the perspective of a family member to help people navigate some of the choices needed in a time where they have a million things being thrown at them. I’m doing this for all the women out there who have suffered this horrible disease, as well as those who might in the future.

Deb Carragher

Debra Carragher has devoted her career to healthcare. She began in the regulation of healthcare providers and facilities and then moved to administration of a large academic medical practice and then to operations and strategy for a 3-hospital system. Deb is currently Senior Vice President at Women’s Health USA and is passionate about the mission of the Pink Chair Project. She lives in Southbury with her husband and two sons.