Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano Announces Over $3400 Raised for Diabetes Research

During the month of November (National Diabetes Awareness Month) the Pasco County Tax Collector’s office raised over $3400 on behalf of Terri’s Tears Charitable Trust Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to supporting research which seeks a cure for diabetes. Terri’s Tears Charitable Trust Foundation is a Pasco-based organization founded to honor the memory of Mary Theresa (Terri) Garofolo, a Type 1 insulin dependent diabetic for over 35 years. It is estimated that more than 1,000,000 Floridians have diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2). It is further estimated that 30,000 children and young adults are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes annually.

“For our first partnership with Mr. Fasano and the Tax Collector’s Office, this is amazing,” states Vince Garofolo, widower of Terri Garofolo and founder of Terri’s Tears. “The citizens of Pasco County showed not only their generosity but also a genuine concern to help the cause. Our Mission Statement proclaims: ‘…because WE have to find a Cure for Diabetes.’ It was heard loud and clear as the response was overwhelming. I’m sure Terri is looking down on us today with a beautiful smile on her face. On behalf of the Trustees (Marion Bragado, Mary Bandini, Vincent Garofolo, Jr. and myself), thanks to Mr. Fasano, Greg Giordano, the office managers, and the terrific staff for their support and the work they performed to make this a great success.”

“There probably is not a person or family who has not been impacted by diabetes in some form,” Tax Collector Mike Fasano states. “As an agency we are very proud of the efforts of Vince Garofolo and the trustees of Terri’s Tears Charitable Trust Foundation for their work to help find a cure for this disease. The people of Pasco County truly stepped up to show their support of the Foundation’s efforts to find a cure for diabetes. I truly thank everyone who took the time to come to our office to make a donation. Every dollar raised will bring diabetes research one step closer to finding either a cure or better treatment options for those afflicted.”

(Photo of Check Presentation From Left to Right - Trustee Mary Bandini, West Pasco Government Center Tax Collector’s Office - Office Manager Clare Casey (sister of Terri Garofolo) Director of Customer Relations at Tax Collector’s Office Greg Giordano, Founder and Trustee Vince Garofolo and Trustee Vincent Garofolo, Jr. Not pictured – Trustee Marion Bragado).