TOUGH LIKE TONI

From the moment you meet her, two things are very clear. Toni’s contagious smile can make even the bluest person feel happy again, and her love for her family is unmatched. Toni, sometimes known as Antoinette Shapiro Contino has a deep love for life. Even the most negative things have a positive spin in her eyes. With everything that she does, she puts in a hundred percent of her time and love. There is only one thing that goes above all else, and that’s her family. Her husband Robbie of twenty-five years and her four children are the light of her life and anything they need will always go above her own wants. Family outings are planned around their sports tournaments rather than  vacations , work is put on hold so she can be there for their tournaments and games. She’s been there for every birthday, and these kids deserve to see another one of hers.

With a heart of gold, you may know Toni from Ronald McDonald house or one of the many charities she donates her time to. Or maybe you know her from school events or dining at Mitch & Toni's where she made everyone feel at home. Maybe you’ve passed her at sports games and only know her by how loudly and proudly she cheers for her kids. Maybe this go fund me is the first time you get to know her. It doesn’t matter where or how, her passion and her deep love for people is clear. Her life is beautiful and warm and loving; her life deserves a long and happy end.

Things took a turn for the worst about three years ago. Due to landlord increases, they lost the restaurant. As much as she would miss Mitch & Toni's, the people who dined there would miss her even more. Luckily, she landed on her feet at a wonderful restaurant group in the city. It seemed as though things were going to be okay and then it was taken away yet again when her knee gave out. Surgery was immediate and afterward, she could no longer do the work that she loved so dearly. Fibromyalgia made every day a little harder and the lack of work put a terrible strain on the family and the bills that went unpaid. While she suffered, she still managed to prevail. 

She was finally stable, but her family wasn’t. Three weeks ago, the worst happened. Her oldest son, at only 19 years old was home for the holiday break when he was diagnosed with Chiari malformation. They scheduled him for Brain Surgery in the Spring . Just five days later, while her head was still reeling over her son, she received a call that her routine mammogram showed invasive Breast cancer. The last two weeks have been packed to the brim with visits to surgeons & oncologists. There was simply no way she could go back to work with everything going on. Her surgery is scheduled to happen two weeks from now.

For all of those who love her, seeing this happen to a wonderful woman is utterly heartbreaking. This is why we lovingly started this go fund me to assist with all of the medical bills from the Knee surgery, her upcoming surgery, any other bills that come with making sure this cancer is gone and the anticipated brain surgery for her son. Toni is blessed to have so many people love and care about her. Our  hope is that we can all come together-Family & Friends , to celebrate her "Healthy" 50th Birthday in July .