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The Go Jen Go Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing critical financial assistance to local individuals and families in the Greater Charlotte, NC area who are battling breast cancer. We provide aid during all phases of the cancer journey including diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
The story of Go Jen Go begins shortly after Jen Pagani’s second son, Luca, was born in May of 2007. Luca turned out to be an easy baby and a great breastfeeder. However, at 11 weeks post-delivery, Jen began experiencing rib and arm pain and one of her breasts had developed a large, hard mass. After several tests and scans, Jen was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer – HER-2/neu positive, receptor negative, invasive, ductal, stage III breast cancer with local lymph involvement. It is more commonly known also known as Inflammatory breast cancer and Jen readied herself for the fight of her life.
For nearly seven years, she experienced every up and down associated with a breast cancer battle and Jen fought through over 19 different chemo regimens, multiple radiation treatments, and experimental skin treatments. Despite the hardships, Jen marveled at the amount of support she and her family were given. In the midst of financial struggles, emotional lows and constant health struggles, her friends and family were always there to lift her up and provide strength when she felt she had none. She vowed to do the same for other women, men, and their families – all fighting breast cancer. At that moment, the Go Jen Go Foundation was born.
Jen often spoke of the love and dedication of her family, the meals in coolers, the chemo buddies, rides to appointments, and the legions of Go Jen Go supporters walking for the cure. She told of the kindness of caregivers, doctors, and nurses. She was thankful for walks with friends, play-dates for her kids, and the joys of her community.
“To quote Beck, ‘Things are changing. I can feel it.’ Aside from my family, my other legacy is the Go Jen Go Foundation. Its mission, my promise to God, is now being fulfilled in a profound and growing way. I find much comfort and sense of completion in this. ‘Tis a beautiful manifestation of a dream, one that will now certainly continue long after my absence.”
– Taken from Jen Pagani’s CaringBridge entry, January 30, 2013
Despite the hardships, Jen marveled at the amount of support she and her family were given. In the midst of financial struggles, emotional lows and constant health struggles, her friends and family were always there to lift her up and provide strength when she felt she had none. She met other breast cancer patients in the infusion room that were struggling to meet their basic needs like keeping lights on, keeping food on their table, keeping up with their bills. She began giving gift cards she received to these patients, to help them feel the support she was lucky to have from so many people. She vowed to do the same for other women, men, and their families – all fighting breast cancer.
At that moment, the Go Jen Go Foundation was born and has continued to grow and serve the greater Charlotte community.
Jen fought breast cancer with grit, courage and strength. And lived her life to the fullest finding adventure, being the best mom she could be and making memories with her family. On February 2, 2014, Jen’s cancer battle came to an end but she left the world an amazing legacy. Her spirit lives on in the foundation that keeps her name and good works alive.
Go Jen Go’s Patient Assistance Program helps cover household expenses including housing, utilities, transportation, and groceries/necessities while a patient undergoes breast cancer treatment. In addition, our Mood Williams Camp Scholarship fund provides camp opportunities for our grantees’ children, while our Operation Spread the Joy Program uplifts families impacted by breast cancer by delivering gifts during the holiday season. See the impact we are making in our community.
Extraordinary – How One Woman’s Breast Cancer Journey Inspired a Community is lovingly crafted from Jen’s caringbridge journal entries, a fulfillment to one of her last wishes. It is a story of love, joy, faith, perseverance and gifts found in the midst of sorrow.
