Grateful Patient Donates More Than $6,300 to Cancer Center

In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stephanie Jacono learned devastating news: She had breast cancer.

While she initially received the diagnosis at a different hospital, her care team decided to transfer her to Bayhealth where she could get treatment faster.

“I was a little nervous about going to Bayhealth at first, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise,” she said.

Jacono had a tough road of cancer treatments ahead of her since the cancer had metastasized to her bones. But she credits the compassionate care she received at Bayhealth for making her journey a bit more manageable.

“The entire staff is so wonderful that I don’t even dread coming in for treatment,” she said.

Jacono, a bartender at Delcastle Golf Club in Wilmington, knew she wanted to find a way to give back to Bayhealth, so in 2022, she organized a golf tournament to raise money to support the Cancer Center. Everyone in the community was very supportive of her endeavor, and many cancer survivors participated. In the end, she was able to raise more than $6,300. Jacono now plans to hold tournaments and other fundraising events every October.

“I could never repay the doctors, nurses and staff for everything they have done for me since my diagnosis,” she said. “I wanted to show my appreciation for everything the doctors, nurses and staff do for everyone getting treatment at Bayhealth.”

Bayhealth Foundation President Lindsay Rhodenbaugh, DMin, said patient donations are always a welcome surprise, and Jacono’s effort helps remind medical staff that they are doing something right.

“It really speaks to the type of experience patients can expect at Bayhealth,” he said.

Visit Bayhealth.org/Cancer to learn more about Bayhealth’s cancer programs, and Bayhealth.org/Foundation to see how you can help support Bayhealth’s lifesaving mission.