Woman raises $10K-plus, again, in mother's honor BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer SAYREVILLE - A Parlin resident who lost her mother to cancer six years ago has become a strong advocate for the cause of women's cancer research. Themother of two children, Gina Costa- Goldfarb is active in school activities and works full-time as a paralegal.However, she still finds time to make significant contributions to her life's mission in memory of hermother,Yolanda Costa, according to her friend, Charlene DePrizio. "I believe [Costa-Goldfarb] deserves special recognition for her superior efforts to raise money for women's cancer research," DePrizio said. Yolanda Costa passed away in October 2001 after battling ovarian cancer. Her death came 11 days before her 65th birthday, and three days before the birth of her granddaughter, Samantha. "Yolanda was one of the most loving, giving, selfless [women] that I have ever encountered in my life," Costa-Goldfarb said. "She was a wonderful role model and my best friend." Costa-Goldfarb describes the loss of her mother as a turning point in her life. She was in the hospital giving birth to her child on the day of her mother's funeral. "It was a very trying and difficult experience, but I managed to turn it into a positive," she said. "That is what my mom would have wanted." Costa-Goldfarb began fundraising for Revlon's annual Run/Walk for Women in NewYork City in 2001, raising several hundred dollars in her first year. Her efforts have resulted in greater sums since then. "It's a great cause," she said. The 5K event funds cancer research, counseling and outreach programs. Costa-Goldfarb became one of the top 10 fundraisers in the Metropolitan area for last year's event, raising more than $10,000, and she is looking to do better with the 11th annual EIF Revlon Run- Walk For Women on May 3. So far this year, she has raised $10,700, making her the second-highest fundraising individual out of more than 40,000 participants as of last week. DePrizio noted that Costa-Goldfarb's fundraising efforts are even more impressive, because she raises the money as an individual and not through a company or a group. "Gina is a person we can all look up to and admire," DePrizio said. Costa-Goldfarb implores visitors to her fundraising web page to help her make a difference in the fight against cancer by making a donation. The statistics, she notes, are staggering, with an estimated one in eight American women expected to develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. "The need is great and that is why I would like to ask for your help," Costa- Goldfarb wrote on the page. She said she thanks her children, Samantha, 6, and Jayson, 3, as well as other family members, friends and colleagues who have given her support in this cause. To make a donation, visit the web site https://www.revlonrunwalk.com/ny and choose to sponsor a participant, using Gina Costa-Goldfarb's name.