Brenda-Lee Troia is a one-woman army who rarely takes a pause from her crusade for breast cancer research and awareness.

Johnston Town Councilman David Santilli said Troia does so because “she went through quite a bout when she was diagnosed with breast cancer” at age 44 back in 2006.

“She handled it well,” Santilli said. “I give her a lot of credit. Brenda-Lee does everything and anything she can do to promote breast cancer awareness; she has walked in events … carried a torch … she’s on Facebook … that’s why we’re doing this today.”

In keeping with tradition, Santilli, who owns and operates The Jewelry Center at 1463 Atwood Avenue in Johnston, held his annual Give Back Event Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in honor of Troia and “all breast cancer patients and survivors during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”

But because Santilli is bent on helping generate as much money as possible, The Jewelry Center will soon make a donation to the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation in Troia’s name.

Although The Jewelry Center’s Give Back Event was billed for just one day, Saturday, Oct. 19, Santilli said Tuesday the program is still going on.

“That’s awesome,” Troia said when learning that Santilli decided to continue his special sale through this Saturday, Oct. 26. “That’s very nice of him; Saturday was very successful, we had a lot of people come into the store to help our cause.”

What Santilli does during The Jewelry Center’s Give Back Event is offer a variety of special sales on items like silver and gold jewelry, diamonds, Chamilia jewelry, photo jewelry and things like the Debbie Brooks Handbag Collection. He then takes a percentage of those sales for the designated non-profit charity.

Last year, Santilli helped raise funds for cancer research in the name of a little girl who had a grueling but successful battle with a cancerous brain tumor. This year, he’s raising money in Troia’s name for the Gloria Gemma Resource Foundation.

But as noted, the sale and Give Back Event isn’t over.

“We’ve raised $422 thus far,” Santilli explained. “I’m leaving it open until the end of the week. Anyone who wants to come in and participate will still get the discounts we offered Saturday.”

Troia said, “We’re really excited David is doing that. He’s already done a special job for us. Saturday, as I said, was special; he had gifts, raffles … all sorts of things to promote the sale to help raise money for breast cancer research. This helps us today give hope for tomorrow.”

And hope is just one of the four words that was screen printed on the back of the tastefully designed T-shirt Troia wore throughout Saturday’s Give Back Event.

The others were strength, courage and determination; words that helped Troia survive having bi-lateral breast cancer surgery back in 2006.

“I was diagnosed with cancer in one breast,” Troia said. “At the time, I had two young children. I’m a single mom, so I had both removed. Now, knock on wood, I’m still cancer free.”

And everyone from her daughters, Amanda Longo, 25, and Kaitlin Faella, 21, as well as people like Santilli and her co-workers in the Johnston School Department where Troia serves as the Human Resource coordinator and many friends she’s made during her crusade for cancer, are simply thrilled.

Troia, whose hobby is photography, said she’ll continue to help raise money for cancer research.

Betty Ann DeMeo and Judith Kawa said Troia has done more than anyone could ever imagine. Troia has carried the torch in two Gloria Gemma Flame of Hope events and has participated in a variety of walks and runs like the one two weeks ago in Providence.

She also has her own team – breezbRestfriendz – that walked in the Gloria Gemma 5K Run/Walk during the Flames of Hope fundraising weekend that’s based in Waterplace Park in Providence.

“There’s nothing she won’t do to help others battle cancer,” Santilli said. “That’s why lots of people came out Saturday and this place was decked out in pink.”

The Jewelry Center was aglow with pink, the official color that shows people’s support for breast cancer awareness. There were pink ribbons and pink balloons, pink gift bags with pink tags and even pink cup cakes atop one of the jewelry cases.

And to make the day much more special for Troia and others fighting breast cancer or who have survived, Atwood Florists sent a vase filled with pink carnations and another filled with pink roses.

A special show of support,” Santilli concluded, “for one special and brave lady, Brenda-Lee Troia.”