By Anne White

The power of memory is a potent driving force, and First Selectman Fred Camillo has harnessed it for a cause near to his heart. This year, he is participating in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Visionary of the Year fundraiser with his team “Paws for a Cause in memory of Donna Marie,” named in honor of his late sister, Donna Marie, who succumbed to Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in 1968 at the tender age of eleven.
Camillo’s poignant letter about his sister paints a portrait of a sweet, loving girl who was deeply in tune with the needs of others, even while battling her own illness. “Her love of people was matched only by that of her love of animals,” he shares, adding that this trait lives on in him and his siblings, Gary and Francine.
Fred Camillo’s “Paws for a Cause” team embodies the visionary spirit of LLS. As Camillo writes, “Visionaries look to the future — and see infinite possibility. They challenge the status quo — and make the impossible possible. They boldly imagine a better world — and lead the charge to create it.”
As a global leader in the fight against blood cancer, LLS funds cutting-edge research, provides free education and support for patients and families, and mobilizes advocates to drive policy changes. Camillo is asking the community to support the organization by contributing to his campaign, joining his team, or sharing the link to his page with their network.
“Please consider supporting this organization by contributing to my campaign, join me as a team member or by sharing the link to my page with your network. All donations are greatly appreciated and tax-deductible,” writes Camillo.
Camillo’s letter serves as a reminder of the impact that one person can have in the fight against cancer. He asks the community to imagine a future without blood cancers. “We are all visionaries when we dare to dream, and care to commit,” he writes.
You can find out more about donating by visiting this page online: https://pages.lls.org/voy/ctwhv/ctwhv23/fcamillo