Gastrointestinal Cancers

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Anna Marchese

In early 2005, 88-year-old Anna Marchese experienced a funny feeling around her waist before passing out on her way to bed. Although she woke up right away, her son, Pat, insisted on taking her to the hospital. Anna had been a widow for almost 30 years and felt fortunate to have her son living with her.
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Karen Kleger

“If anyone had a crystal ball and told me that cancer would be in my future, I would have told them they were crazy,” Karen Kleger shared. Up until the spring of 2007 when Karen was diagnosed with cancer, she was an active, healthy, 38-year-old mother of three. “I had even carried and delivered my niece as a surrogate for my sister-in-law and her husband due to her health issues.”
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Cynthia Herr

Cyndie Herr is just like most suburban moms - she drives her three children to school activities, play practice, soccer, golf, birthday parties . . . the list goes on! She has a network of terrific friends with whom she carpools, as well as socializes. Like many moms these days, Cyndie is health-conscious and provides healthy, nutritious food choices for her family.
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Frances Hatalovsky

At 74 years old most people have eased into retirement, or are at least thinking about doing so. Not Fran Hatalovsky. In fact, when she was told by her Fox Chase Cancer Center surgeon that carcinoid cancer had spread throughout her body, her main concern was whether she'd be able to return to work. Her surgeon, James Watson, MD, assured her that he would do everything in his power to make it happen. Just 2 months after Dr. Watson performed a very complex procedure to remove the cancerous tissue that affected Fran's colon, small intestine, ovaries and liver, she was able to return to work and couldn't have been more pleased.
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Maria Carosella
Colon Cancer with Metastasis to the Lung
"I'll never forget the day I was diagnosed with colon cancer. It was February 14, 2002 - my husband's birthday," recalled Maria Carosella. She asked her doctor to perform a colonoscopy because she had been symptomatic for quite some time.
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Marlin Beach

In 2007, for the first time in his life, Marlin Beach had trouble eating. During every meal, food would become stuck in this throat. Instead of seeking medical attention, Marlin secretly hoped it would go away. Fortunately, his wife of 35 years, Bonnie, knew it would not disappear on its own. In the spring of 2008, she finally convinced him to go to the doctor. After several rounds of tests, they learned that Marlin's inability to swallow food properly was caused by a malignant tumor on his esophagus.
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Bruna Cassatta
Lymph-Node Positive Gallbladder Cancer
"Meraviglioso! Wonderful! The doctors at Fox Chase Cancer Center are meraviglioso!" said Bruna Cassatta, who turned 72 in 2010. Born in Italy, Bruna speaks English with a heavy Italian accent, but the meaning of her words come across crystal clear - she loves Fox Chase Cancer Center.
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Maria Bento

Maria Bento and her husband, Jose, left Portugal in 1973 and moved to America - the land of opportunity. Once here, they built both a close-knit family and a successful construction business in Philadelphia. Maria, a strong-willed woman, has learned many lessons over the years. Most importantly, to trust her gut and to question the decisions of others. That lesson might have saved her life.
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Jessica Basciano
Primary Liver Cancer
Jessica Basciano is a proven fighter. At 31 years old and 31 weeks into her pregnancy with her second daughter, doctors discovered a large mass on her liver. After 5 weeks of bed rest, and the delivery of a healthy baby girl, Jessica had an MRI and was diagnosed with an adenoma, or a non-cancerous mass. In August of 2003, Jessica had the mass removed at a well-respected Philadelphia hospital. Shortly afterward, she learned that the mass was cancerous. Jessica had primary liver cancer.
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Margaret Evans
Neuroendocrine Cancer of the Spleen
Knowing that family history plays a strong role in a person's risk of developing cancer makes it no surprise to learn that Margaret Evans would develop cancer in her lifetime. Margaret lost a sister and nephew to colon cancer; her father to liver cancer; and her niece to pancreatic cancer.
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Chris Kalargheros

In April 2008, Chris Kalargheros, a Vice President at Merrill Lynch, was at the top of the world after he and his wife, Liz, became the proud new parents of twins – a boy and a girl. Then, he began to experience abdominal pain that landed him in the hospital a few times. An MRI of the abdomen showed lesions on Chris’s liver and a mass on his pancreas. “My whole world came crashing down,” admitted Chris, who was only 33 years old and an active soccer and basketball player.
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Chris Kalargheros

In April 2008, Chris Kalargheros, a Vice President at Merrill Lynch, was at the top of the world after he and his wife, Liz, became the proud new parents of twins – a boy and a girl. Then, he began to experience abdominal pain that landed him in the hospital a few times. An MRI of the abdomen showed lesions on Chris’s liver and a mass on his pancreas. “My whole world came crashing down,” admitted Chris, who was only 33 years old and an active soccer and basketball player.
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William L. Jefferson

William Jefferson, or as his friends refer to him as "Jeff," worked as a splicer for Verizon near his South Jersey home. He enjoyed his job, most of which was spent outdoors. When Jeff retired in 2001, at the age of 58, he was looking forward to spending much of his leisure time outside, whether it be gardening or swimming with his 9 grandchildren.
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Erma Fitzgerald

Cancer has come calling three times for Erma Fitzgerald, and 3 times this plucky octogenarian has come out on top.
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Louis Fantacone
Stomach Cancer
Many people would have a lot to complain about if they walked in Lou Fantacone's shoes. In 1958, while Christmas shopping, Lou's wife was killed in an automobile accident. She was 28 at the time. Lou was left alone to care for his 3 children, ages 2, 5 and 7. He worked as a machinist until he retired in 1988. "I've got nothing to complain about. I am blessed with 3 kids -- and a couple grandkids," said Lou. When it came time for Lou to deal with a diagnosis of cancer, he kept his word and did not complain.
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