Photographs by William Taufic.
A diagnosis of breast cancer is devastating. But if it had to happen to Lynne Taikowski’s mother, at least the fateful news was delivered near the Norma Pfriem Breast Care Center. “My mom was passing through [on a visit] and had a mammogram here,” says the Fairfield resident. When she decided to have her surgery here, Lynne’s husband, a surgeon at Bridgeport Hospital, advised she be treated at Norma Pfriem.
“They were the most caring community of caregivers I’d ever met,” raves Lynne. “I thought my mom was being treated really well because my husband is a surgeon. Then I realized everyone there is treated like family.” Soon the Norma Pfriem “family” would be raving about Lynne and her generous family.
“At the time, my younger daughter, Allie, was in middle school. She decided to have a bake sale to raise money for the center,” explains Lynne. “The following year she wanted to do something bigger, so we organized a mother-daughter tea.” Their next idea, Catwalk for a Cure, took their fundraising efforts to a whole new level. Every Sunday the Taikowskis hosted a house full of teens, who attacked every task from finding a venue to securing outfits, silent auction items and the famous DJ Nomad. Mothers and daughters and boys and girls strutted the runway together.
The first Catwalk for a Cure was such a hit that kids were clamoring to be a part of the next one, and the event evolved into a franchise. “Now 200 kids are involved every year in different communities,” notes Lynne, “and $300,000 has been raised.” Lynne credits the teens and cochairs who took over after Allie headed to college with growing the event she and her daughter started.
Lynne’s older daughter, Kate, also got in on the action, planning a Here’s to Your Health event at the Taikowski’s home to showcase Norma Pfriem Wellness Center offerings—from yoga and Pilates to acupuncture and naturopathy—which are available to anyone, not just patients.
Lynne is on the Norma Pfriem Advisory Board, is vice president of the President’s Council and has hosted its Rose of Hope luncheon for five years. “We are so lucky to have such wonderful volunteer support,” says Director Donna Twist.
Lynne also supports Near & Far Aid, Greenfield Hill Congregational Church and Horizons at Greens Farms Academy. “There is so much affluence in this area that you have to counterbalance,” states Lynne. “I can’t imagine any ‘real’ job that would be more rewarding.”