As I write this, Edna Curley is laying comfortably in a Newburgh hospice. She has her loved ones around her, her children, husband, and the friends and neighbors who make up her fundraising committee. She dealt with the 2005 diagnosis of a fast moving and aggressive form of cancer like everything else…in Edna style. Rather than dwell on it, she took it on by deciding to bring awareness to this “silent” cancer—silent because it’s rare and very few doctors treat it, and little funding is available. This Bronx-born, street-wise, ex-NYC cop formed “Edna’s Foundation of Hope,” a not-for-profit charity, that through local fundraisers, is able to award research grants to those dedicated to finding a cure for sarcomas.

Probably being raised in the South Bronx, the only girl in a family of five, gave Edna the inspiration to choose a career in law enforcement. And it was while on duty providing traffic assistance during a parade honoring the Harlem Little League team in 1991, that her life took its first dramatic and terrifying turn. Edna was hit by a runaway car and seriously injured. That her disability papers came through on the same day that her oldest daughter was diagnosed with profound hearing loss was a sign for Edna that she was now needed at home.

Not long after, her youngest daughter was diagnosed with the same hearing disability, and Edna found herself shuffling the girls from specialist to specialist, scheduling ear surgeries, speech therapy classes, and eventually, appointments for hearing aides. Of this experience, Edna said, “I have a strong belief in God, and I have to accept His plan for me. While I may not like it, I do have to accept it.”

A simple stomach pain nagged at Edna, and she finally had it checked out by a gastric specialist. “It felt like a pulling on my abdomen,” she said. She took that same belief in God, and founded Edna’s Foundation of Hope, a name chosen by her daughters. An angel, holding a heart, is its logo. The organization’s aim is to promote awareness about leiomyosarcoma (Edna’s specific cancer), and provide funding for research and treatment. Not a dollar of monies raised goes to Edna.

“When I was diagnosed, I went online to research what was known about it,” she said. “I read about a 15 year old girl who died from this disease in just a short time after it was discovered. It was then that I decided that I would do all I could so that no child would ever get this disease.”

Because Edna loves a good party, she decided that her major fundraiser—held every November at the Sheraton Centre in Mahwah, New Jersey—would be a party of the highest order. One year it was a masquerade ball, another year it featured a red carpet with hired “paparazzi.” This year’s event, scheduled for November 6, has the title, “Dinner with the Captain,” and folks are encouraged to come in their finest cruise wear. Last year alone, the organization awarded a $30.000 grant to Dr. Eva Hernando, head of research for leiomyosarcoma at New York University Cancer Center. (Photo above shows Edna, seated, with Dr. Hernando).

The Curley Family, who resides in Orange County, includes husband Tom, also in law enforcement, and three children, TJ, Brianna and Nicole. All attend the gala, which turns into a loving family reunion since Edna embraces her friends and neighbors as her family, and being in her company is a truly wonderful delight.

We encourage all those reading this right now to log on to Edna’s website: www.EdnasHope.org to find out more about how they can help find a cure for sarcomas, and to either attend the gala, purchase 50/50 tickets, or donate an item for the silent auction. You can also call Janice Meehan at 917-282.8326. After you read this, say a prayer for all those suffering from sarcomas, and think of Edna, a woman who is definitely worthy of being a “Woman Around Town.”

Woman Around Town’s Six Questions

Favorite Place to Eat: Sofritos, 57th Street and York Avenue, best tasty authentic Spanish Restaurant. Also Maricon Restaurant in the Bronx
Favorite Place to Shop: Any place there’s clothes, especially Lane Bryant
Favorite New York Sight: The Bronx Zoo, Statue of Liberty, walking hand in hand with her husband
Favorite New York Moment: When I met my husband while working as a NYC Police Officer
What I Love About New York: Plays, restaurants, the city lights, and of course the change of seasons
What I Hate About New York: Traffic, dislike the fast pace of the city