For the Cost of Lunch, You Can Help Save a Life

WROC TV NEWS ^ | 10/9/2003 5:00 PM | Katrina Irwin, WROC-TV8)

[meanoldfatbastrd]

For the Cost of Lunch, You Can Help Save a Life

(Anthony Giardino) 10/9/2003 5:00 PM (Katrina Irwin, WROC-TV8)

"It took about 5 days to figure out what was wrong."

Shari Giardino remembers the day her son was diagnosed. It was Mother's Day and Anthony was only two. "The doctor came in and told us it was cancer and it wasn't a good cancer. It was neuroblastoma."

Doctor David Korones, an oncologist at Strong memorial Hospital also remembers the day. "It's painful news no matter what day it is. But that made it a little harder."

Anthony fought the disease for four years, but he lost the battle this past April. Now, his family along with about 80 others are on a crusade.

Giardino, a Victor resident, says "what we're asking people to do is give up lunch for one day, which is about the cost of five dollars, and donate it to this organization."

They're spreading the word by e-mail, sending a message to five friends and asking them to pass it along to five more. "Before you know it we've reached a lot of people and hopefully touched a lot of hearts for help", says Giardino.

The e-mails started on October 1. The fnudraising drive was supposed to end friday, October 10, but the response has been overwhelming. Now the "Lunch for Life" drive has been extended.

His father, Mark Giardino says, "This is for him. It gives his life more meaning for us." The money raised will go towards more research.

Right now treatment is a long, difficult battle, and it's only successful about 40 percent of the time. Dr. Korones treated Anthony and treats many other children with the disease.

"He did several months of chemotherapy. He had surgery to remove what was left. Then he had a double bone marrow transplant, he had radiation...He did beautiful, the tumor just melted away... But then it came back."

Now, the Giardino's can only remember their son, and try to spare others the same kind of pain.

"He may not be here to share that with us but I know that he knows."

If you would like to donate to the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation call 1-866-671-2623. You can also send a check to the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation, P.O Box 6635, Bloomingdale, IL 60108.

Related Link: http://www.cncf-childcancer.org

[meanoldfatbastrd]

prayer request for these children and their families.

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[Coop]

Amen to that. I hope the response continues to be overwhelming, not only for the money it will raise, but for the love it spreads and hope it provides to the families struggling with this awful demon.

[meanoldfatbastrd]

thank you coop!

[Coop]

No, thank you for posting this article. I'm always impressed and inspired by those who can turn grief into triumph in various ways. (John Walsh is truly one of my American heroes.)

[Sender]

I donated through their website. Anyone who sees the section titled "our kids" will want to also.

[meanoldfatbastrd]

May the blessings of heaven rest upon you!
thank you for your kindness.
please visit www.sydneydungan.com, it is the website of the gentleman who started lunch for life. he would be happy to know that his message is being heard.