Gianna Signorile

Gianna Signorile is a 19-year-old University of Maryland School of Business student and graduate of Nutley High School in Nutley, NJ. During the first semester of her freshman year at UMD, Gianna was misdiagnosed with Adenoma (a benign tumor) in September of 2019 after experiencing a series of painful symptoms and enduring multiple tests. The diagnosis, at the time, required no immediate action and she was told to revisit seeking a treatment plan over the course of her Winter break from school. 

Since her pain and symptoms only grew worse, her parents sought a second (and third) opinion of her condition; and just a few months later, Gianna’s life was flipped upside down. On May 26, 2020, she was diagnosed with Fibrolamellar Carcinoma (FLC), an incredibly rare cancer of the liver that affects teens and young adults with an otherwise healthy liver. FLC is seen in only 1 of 5 million people, it’s rarity comes with scarce amounts of data and statistical information, leaving minimal treatment options. To ensure the best treatment for Gianna’s diagnosis, our family has decided to seek treatment at Rush University Hospital in Chicago, as they have the most experienced doctors who are knowledgeable in treating FLC. Most recently, Gianna underwent an extensive 16-hour liver resection surgery at Rush University and is working towards a smooth recovery.

Even through this incredible hardship, during an extremely hard time for the world as a whole, Gianna managed to push through her pain and complete her freshman year courses, landing herself on the Dean’s list. She is a fighter with an amazing spirit and zest for life; despite the obstacles life has thrown at her, she continues to persevere with a tenacious attitude. This is only the beginning, but we know that Gianna has worked so hard for all her accomplishments both in high school and at the University of Maryland, we believe she will work hard and overcome this disease.

 The expenses that accompany the most effective forms of treatment for Gianna’s diagnosis are far beyond our family’s financial means. These expenses include: surgeries, various medications (chemotherapy, immunotherapy), and travel expenses.  Since Gianna’s diagnosis is extremely rare, it is difficult to rely solely on insurance companies to cover the cost of treatment.  Thus, we are setting a goal of $50,000 to assist the family through this very difficult time.  We are confident that Gianna is in the best hands and through the power of prayer we hope to help guide her to recovery.