On a mission to raise funds in support ofcancer patients and their families.
The Sisters’ Project is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 2010 by a group of biological sisters and sisters through friendship. We are committed to raising funds in support of cancer patients and their families and focus our efforts on projects within our local community. From supporting the local Wallingford YMCA cancer recovery program to awarding scholarships to local high school seniors who have been affected by cancer, and everything in between, our goal is to bring a sense of tranquility to cancer patients and their families.
The Sisters’ Project hosts a variety of local charity events throughout the year, bringing families and friends together to work towards the same goal of raising funds in support of cancer patients and their families. It is through the generous support of our friends, community partners, and corporate sponsors that we can continue to pay it forward and provide support to our community.
President
Judi Gallagher
Judi, a founding member of The Sisters’ Project, is a cancer survivor, a caregiver to a friend battling cancer for the second time, and a person who has lost several family members and friends to cancer. She is married to her husband, Jim, and has two grown children and two grandchildren. On a regular basis, Judi can be found at her travel agency working on sending her clients to exciting places in the world. Judi prides herself in her community involvement over the years and her dedication to raising funds in the name of hope and cure for cancer.
Vice President
Denise Baker
Denise is a Wallingford resident and is married to John Baker and has 3 children. She has been a Special Education Teacher in the Wallingford school system for 34 years. Denise has had several dear friends lose their battle to cancer and several other dear friends who are cancer survivors. She embraces the opportunity to fundraise for cancer research and to provide avenues to help caregivers be comfortable in the process.
Secretary
Debbie Papale
For most of her life, Debbie has lived and worked in Wallingford. She has been happily married to Rick Papale for 25 years, and they have a daughter in college. Debbie is an advocate for one of her closest friends while she continues her cancer battle. She is dedicated to this amazing group of women and the continuing efforts to raise funds for cancer related projects.
Treasurer
Mara Dunleavy
Mara is a Wallingford native, cancer survivor, sister of a cancer survivor, and an advocate of raising funds for cancer patients, their families, and cancer research. She recently retired from teaching science in New Haven. Mara educated her students about various cancers, preventive medicine, and how to talk with medical personnel concerning their health issues.
Elizabeth Benham
Elizabeth has served on The Sisters’ Project Board of Directors since the inception in 2011. After moving to New York City in 2008, Elizabeth started her career as an event coordinator for the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. She currently works for the Wildlife Conservation Society headquartered at the Bronx Zoo and serves on the planning committee of the New York City Memorial Stair Climb. While she is no longer a resident of Wallingford, Elizabeth is committed to raising funds in support of cancer patients and their families within her hometown community.
Erin Benham
Erin was born and raised in Wallingford. She is married to Richard Benham, the mother of two grown children, and a grandmother. Erin taught in Meriden, Connecticut, for 36 years and presently serves on the Connecticut State Board of Education. Erin has been an advocate of raising funds for cancer patients and their families for the past 20 years.
Paula Feeney-Puig
A resident of Wallingford, Paula is married to Michal Puig and has two grown sons. In addition to a full life as a wife and mother, she has enjoyed a career with Pearce Plus Relocation. Paula has been an active member of The Sisters’ Project Board of Directors since its inception in 2011 and embraces the mission to bring peace and tranquility to cancer patients and their families.
Mary Gilson
Mary has been a hairdresser in Wallingford for over 42 years. She owned her own business for over 25 years. Mary’s sister, Rita, passed away from cancer in 1997; because of her death, she is committed to raising money for a cure and to help cancer patients and their families.
Chris Pretti
Chris is a Wallingford native and is married to Jim and has two wonderful boys. She has been a a hair stylist at Salon Le Rae for several years. Over that time, cancer has touched Chris’ life in ways that has changed how she lives her life. Chris will continue to help make a difference in the lives of people whom cancer has affected and continue to educate her children on ways they can do the same.
Johnna Schlosser
Johnna is a founding member of The Sisters’ Project. She is a breast cancer survivor and the sister of a cancer survivor. Johnna is a native of Wallingford, married to Jim Schlosser, and the mom of two grown children. She has enjoyed a career as an Assistant to Dr. Nicholas Perricone. Johnna credits her misfortune of cancer by fundraising for families battling cancer.
Casey Wiegert
Casey is a native of Wallingford and is married to her husband, Chris, where they raise their two beautiful young children. Over the years, she has lost several family members and loved ones to this terrible disease, as well as watched her mom win the battle. Casey is extremely passionate in supporting cancer patients and their families during their times of struggle. Bringing comfort and peace to these families is such a true honor.