From Grief to Generosity: The Enduring Impact of the Elise Shapira Memorial Endowment

At FORCE, we are privileged to witness stories of heartbreak transformed into hope—and few are as moving or impactful as the Elise Shapira Memorial Endowment. Created in loving memory of Elise Shapira, this fund exemplifies how families touched by hereditary cancer can turn personal loss into lasting change for others navigating similar challenges. 

A Legacy of Courage and Empowerment 

Elise Shapira faced her diagnosis with extraordinary courage. Diagnosed with breast cancer at 40—shortly after her mother’s own diagnosis—Elise made the bold decision to undergo a preventive double mastectomy. At the time, it was a radical and courageous act. Following her diagnosis and a subsequent ovarian cancer diagnosis, Elise learned she carried a BRCA1 mutation, which led her to FORCE. Throughout her treatment and personal involvement with FORCE, Elise helped inspire many others to take charge of their hereditary cancer risk. Although Elise passed away in 2011, her legacy continues to empower individuals to advocate for their health.

To honor Elise’s memory, her family partnered with FORCE to create the Elise Shapira Memorial Endowment— a legacy fund providing education, support and critical resources for families navigating the medical and emotional complexities of hereditary cancer. 

Fueled by Love: Maralee Schwartz and the Shapira Family 

The heart of this fund is Elise’s sister, Maralee Schwartz. Her deep love for Elise and unwavering commitment to FORCE’s mission have grown the fund into a powerful engine for change. Thanks to Maralee’s leadership and the involvement of Elise’s now adult children, Bill, Rachel and their families, the fund has surpassed $160,000 and continues to grow. 

With their support, FORCE has been able to use the fund's distributions to provide conference scholarships for couples, underwrite Peer Navigation Matches and support vital operations at FORCE.  

A Life Transformed by Knowledge 

Jessica Penquite and her husband received a couple’s scholarship to attend the Joining FORCEs Against Hereditary Cancer Conference in June of 2024.  

Jessica shared that the gift from the Elise Shapira Memorial Endowment had a life-changing impact: 

“They saved my quality of life. After my preventive surgeries, I felt like an empty shell—no sex drive, no energy, poor sleep, weight gain. My doctors told me I couldn’t take hormone replacement therapy. But at the FORCE conference, my husband and I heard directly from experts that I was actually a perfect candidate. I started HRT in January, and now I sleep better than ever, I have the energy to run with my kids—my life is completely amazing. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart—for me, for my husband, and for my children.” 

Stories like this are exactly what the Elise Shapira Memorial Endowment was created to make possible. This one family’s choice to give has created ripples of impact for the health, hope and quality of life of so many.  

The Power of Enduring Legacy 

Through the fund, Elise’s legacy continues to uplift, educate and empower families facing hereditary cancer. And while the work already accomplished is extraordinary, the need continues to grow. That’s why we’re inviting others to consider how their own experiences and love for a family member could lead to lasting change. 

If your life has been touched by hereditary cancer, you have the power to transform that experience into a legacy that uplifts others. A named endowment or legacy gift—like the Elise Shapira Memorial Endowment — will ensure that life-changing support is available for generations to come. 

Elise’s story continues to inspire all of us at FORCE, and we hope it also inspires you. 

The Elise Shapira Memorial Fund is matching the first $10,000 donated to FORCE beginning today. Give now and your donation can have twice the impact!  

Interested in Creating a Legacy of Your Own? 

I’d be honored to talk with you about how your family's story can make a lasting impact for the hereditary cancer community. Rebekah Wells, Senior Vice President of Development rebekahw@facingourrisk.org or by phone at (866-288-7475 x715)