Breast cancer patient gets new roof as surprise part of help package

COMMACK, Long Island (PIX11) -- When someone learns the awful news that they've got cancer, immediately a whole host of needs arises, many of them costly.

For one family, the needs were many and expensive, and they came with one other non-cancer-related need. Thanks to a very good Samaritan and a breast cancer charity, the needs were all met, in an unexpected and gratifying way. 

Peter Ceglio, who owns a two-story home in this Suffolk County suburb, pointed out that the story began early in the autumn. 

"My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, for the second time, in October," he said, in front of the home with white siding and black shutters.  As soon as they got the diagnosis, he and his wife, Cindy Ceglio, contacted the West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition for help. 

Somebody else contacted the Breast Cancer Coalition, as well. Gina Farese, the CEO of Marcor Construction Corp., which does roofing and other types of construction, sought out the coalition after learning of a tragedy late last month. 

"Just over two weeks ago, I got a call from a dear friend that a dear friend of mine had passed from breast cancer," said Farese. 

She spoke with leaders of the Breast Cancer Coalition, seeking to help in any way possible. "I said, 'I can't fix all of this cancer happening. Can you give me something I can fix?'"

Jo-Ann Rivera, the co-vice president of the West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition, spoke with Farese. 

"Because we were helping out someone who is special to Gina," Rivera explained, "Gina wanted to do something in return. We sent Gina here," she said, referring to the Ceglio home. 

There, Farese met Peter Ceglio, a school district music director, his wife, Cindy, and their son, Stephen, who needs round-the-clock care. Cindy provides that care when she's not battling breast cancer. On Monday, she was in surgery and is recovering well now, according to her husband. 

"It was emotional, to say the least," he said when Farese came to meet his family. "She said, 'I really want to help you guys.'"

Farese picked up the story. "For three hours, we laughed, we cried, and I said, 'I have to do this,'" she told PIX11 News. 

The job, which also includes new gutters, is a $25,000 gift from Farese's company, Marcor Construction, as well as other construction-related donors: Owens Corning, Beacon Supply, MGM Construction Services, and Long Island Carting. 

The value that the work adds to the home is worth exponentially more than its cost, and the new roof will last two decades, at least. 

"For the rest of the time that we're in this home," said Ceglio, "we're not going to have to worry about that."

Farese said that doing this has been priceless to her. "There's so many bad things happening in the world," she said. "There's got to be good."

She has also set up a GoFundMe for the Ceglio Family to help defray costs as Cindy continues to battle breast cancer, as well as help to raise their son. Cindy is expected to return home from the hospital on Wednesday, to a newly re-roofed home.