Jen Di Reeno's decade-old portrait
When Jen Di Reeno died of complications from a rare skin cancer 11 years ago, her teen-age and young-adult friends turned their grief into determination.
They created the Jen Di Reeno Foundation, to carry on the enthusiasm and purpose of the freckle-faced Reading woman.
On May 12 — what would have been Jen’s 33rd birthday — some 50 friends and family gathered in an oncology wing of Tufts Medical Center for a dedication of “Jen’s Lounge” — a stylish oasis of quiet and sanity for teen cancer patients and their families.
Kim Di Reeno and her mom, Patty
In the lounge, a patient can spend time with visitors on their hospital room floor — in a comfy, living room-like setting complete with high-tech entertainment and learning tools.
Besides the family lounge, the Di Reeno Foundation, with support from Ipswitch and its employees, has built two prototype portable bedside, web-enabled computer work/play stations for Tufts oncology patients. Called “Freckles,” the units consist of a sturdy, two-inch steel pole on a four-wheel stand. Mounted on the pole are a computer monitor which slides up or or down to adjust view angle, a tray which holds a keyboard and mouse, and a desktop computer and related operating gear near the bottom of the pole.
Tara Finnigan and "Freckles"
The units are so popular that other wards and floors at Tufts Medical Center keep asking the teen oncology unit to borrow them. Foundation board members, including Jen’s childhood friend Tara Finnigan, are now considering whether it would be possible to obtain government or foundation grants and partner with a company to manufacture the “Freckles” units for other hospitals.
About the foundation
The mission of the Jen Di Reeno Foundation is to support teens and young adults by providing ways to heal from grief caused by the presence of cancer, other serious illness, and life’s critical challenges.
These photos were taken at the dedication ceremony by Bill Densmore in support of donations to the Foundation by Ipswitch and its employees.
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Jen Di Reeno Foundation Inc.
51 Parkview Road
Reading MA 01867
info@jendireeno.org
www.jendireeno.org