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WG woman starts foundation to benefit friend with cancer
By Melissa Matchak
Joan Riordan's life changed forever on Dec. 6, 1999, when the well-known aerobics and fitness instructor learned she had a malignant brain tumor.
Because Riordan, 52, has no immediate family and doesn't have health insurance to help cover her necessary treatments and home care costs totaling nearly $5,000 a month, her friends stepped in to help.
In early June of this year, Riordan's longtime friend Sabrina Bell-Bonadeo of San Jose started The Joan Riordan Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to assist Riordan in her medical treatment and expenses and to personally support her in fighting the disease. Bell-Bonadeo said any unused funds will be donated to the National Brain Tumor Association to help others in their fight.
Riordan has worked at many fitness clubs, including Los Gatos Swim and Racquet, Courtside and Lady Spas. As a staff member of De Anza College, she has taught and certified many local fitness professionals in the area for personal training, including Bell-Bonadeo.
Riordan and Bell-Bonadeo, who have worked together and been friends since 1992, started their own personal fitness training and yoga service in Willow Glen a few years ago.
Currently, Riordan is on her fourth course of oral chemotherapy, and Bell-Bonadeo said she is making progress. She said Riordan swims four to five times a week and is highly motivated to get well. She said Riordan says she's "not through yet." Bell-Bonadeo said a very recent MRI showed continued shrinking of the tumor.
To learn more about The Joan Riordan Foundation, call Sabrina Bell-Bonadeo at 408.981.6096.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
