PROMOTING COMMUNITY SERVICE Terry Dragoumis Nicholson with her daughter, Alexa Dragoumis, 27. Dragoumis Nicholson has prioritized fostering a
sense of community-mindedness in her children.
on,” she says. “The research is key to
developing innovative treatments and
drugs. There are a lot of wonderful
things on the horizon — new ways of
thinking, less invasive [procedures].
“What we do at CBCF is different
because we are privately funded,” she
says. “The fundraising supports the
research of Dr. Larry Norton, scien-
tific director of the foundation. As
we are not funded by a hospital or
drug company, there are no predicted
outcomes. Dr. Norton can follow his
hunches,” she says.
SHE RAISED HER CHILDREN TO BE
INDEPENDENT AND COMMUNITY-
MINDED. Dragoumis Nicholson says
that as a parent, “I give my children
roots for wings. I always tell them not
to be afraid and to see the world.
Learn about people — that is what
makes life meaningful. My children
have volunteered; my son volun-
teered at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare
Center in Madison, and my daughter
volunteered at Dominican Nuns of
Summit.”
DRAGOUMIS LOVES TO TRAVEL AND
TO GARDEN. Her most frequented
travel destination is Europe, which,
with its rich art and history, has
served as fashion’s nucleus. She
says her kids have taken to travel,
too: Her son, who attends Wake
Forest University, is currently spend-
ing a semester abroad. When the
family isn’t traveling, they’re cook-
ing. “The last meal we made together
was probably in the summer,” she
says.
She also enjoys gardening. “I love
to be in touch with nature,” she says.
SHE ADVISES OTHERS TO DO WORK
THEY’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT.
Dragoumis Nicholson believes that
if you love what you do, it doesn’t
feel like work. Her philosophy is to
pursue whatever inspires you, because
you will be motivated by curiosity and
have a drive to make things better. ■
For more information about the
Cure Breast Cancer Foundation, go to
curebreastcancerfoundation.org,
or call (973) 471-2223.
MILLBURN & SHORT HILLS MAGAZINE HOLIDAY 2019
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