One Local Couple's Longtime Battle to Fight Breast Cancer

This article was provided by Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center.

In May, 1959 Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center opened its doors when a need for a health care facility on the south shore of Long Island became apparent. 

During the same time, West Islip High School senior, Lorraine Trim, attended her Copacabana–themed prom, with her then boyfriend, a soldier who flew home from Germany in hopes of bringing her back as his bride and live next door to Elvis Presley. 

To an impressionable 17-year-old girl, this seemed like a fairy tale. Fortunately, Lorraine’s parents put things into perspective, her soldier returned to Germany and later that year Lorraine met the love of her life, John Pace.

What Lorraine and John did not know was the bond that was to form between their lives and Good Samaritan Hospital. After 30 years of marriage and three children, all born at Good Sam, Lorraine was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

With the support of her husband, a real estate developer and attorney, Lorraine fought her personal battle with cancer and embarked on a journey as a breast cancer activist and fundraiser.

She founded the West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition and the Long Island Mapping Project—one of the first initiatives seeking to establish a link between environmental toxins and breast cancer. She partnered with Good Samaritan Hospital on this project, and established an enduring relationship. Through her efforts, Good Sam opened its Long Island’s first Breast Health Center in 1994.

Later, the Pace’s founded Breast Cancer Help, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting breast cancer research, improving access to breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. 

Earlier this year, Breast Cancer Help entered into a unique partnership with The Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation. This alignment will permit Breast Cancer Help to continue to offer high quality supportive care to all cancer survivors through Long Island Cancer Help and Wellness Center in Bay Shore.

“Starting with the inception of the hospital’s Breast Health Center 20 years ago John and I have valued our relationship with Good Samaritan Hospital,” said Mrs. Pace.

“We look forward to partnering with the hospital to provide outreach, education and programs for cancer survivors on Long Island through the recent alignment of The Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation and our foundation, Breast Cancer Help, Inc.”

Lorraine is lucky to have had the support of her family, community members and Good Samaritan Hospital. 

“In sickness and in health, you have to take the good with the bad and be there to support your loved one,” said Lorraine Pace. “I have been very fortunate to have an abundance of support. That is why it is important that I reach out to other women who may not be as lucky.”

This past September, the Pace’s long relationship with Good Samaritan Hospital came full circle when they were honored at the hospital’s 51st Annual Ball, which coincidentally featured a Copacabana–theme. 

They were surrounded by their extended family, including their five granddaughters, providing support to John and Lorraine’s fight against cancer. Every member of their family is actively involved in raising awareness and fundraising for breast cancer research.