Women's Cancer Organization Honors Woburn Resident

A long-time Woburn resident will be the recipient of an award from a women’s cancer research organization this weekend.

Bonnie Marinaccio will be honored on the night of Saturday, Nov. 1, at the 10th Annual Julie Fund for Women’s Cancers Gala in Boston.

Marinaccio has lived Woburn for the past 35 years. She is an interior architectural designer and specializes in kitchen design.

Her husband Paul Marinaccio was born and raised in Woburn and owns his own local business, B&J Floor Fashions. Marinaccio also has a daughter and several relatives who reside in Woburn.

The Julie Fund was founded in 2004 by Peter Mcavinn and his family in honor of his wife Julie Paige Mcavinn. Julie Mcavinn was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November 2003 and passed away in February 2004 at age 40.

The Julie Fund for Women’s Cancers provides philanthropic research funding for Massachusetts General Hospital’s Gynecologic Cancer Research Program.

Marinaccio was diagnosed with cancer in late 2010 and made the brave decision to fight the disease.

She will tell her story of her battle with stage IV ovarian cancer at Saturday’s gala.

The event takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Fairmont Copley Plaza, 138 St. James Ave., in Boston.

Purchase tickets at The Julie Fund website.

Marinaccio learned about The Julie Fund for Women’s Cancers during her recurrence in 2013 and the organization helped her cover non-medical expenses related to her cancer.

The Julie Fund supports research and funding of female cancers, education for health care workers and the general public and patient and family non-medical financial support such as temporary housing, transportation food and day care.

The Julie Fund has raised more than $2.3 million since it began over nine years ago.

Photo: Bonnie Marinaccio