Help Steve Battle Chordoma Cancer
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My name is Cheri and I have started this fundraiser on behalf of my brother-in-law, Steve Perillo, who was shockingly diagnosed with a very rare type of bone cancer recently which only affects 1 in 1 million people. Currently, there are only approximately 300 people diagnosed with this cancer living in the US.
The malignant tumor was located at the base of Steve's spine in the sacrum and had been present from birth. It went unnoticed until May of 2018 when Steve saw a doctor for lower back pain.
An MRI test was requested and the results were sent to an oncologist who provided a consult and diagnosed Steve with Sacral Chordoma. Steve would be the doctor's 3rd patient in 40 years with this rare disease. Moving as quickly as possible with a lot of research and hard work done by his father-in law, Evan Parry and local doctor, Steve was scheduled for En-Bloc Cystectomy of his sacrum that was done by Dr. Dan Sciubba, the Director of Neurosciences at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD on June 20th.
If you know Steve as well as I do, you know that he was able to maintain his super positive and light-hearted attitude throughout the preoperative process. This along with multiple avenues of love and support from his wife and compassionate family members has helped him endure the 15-hour surgery to remove the tumor and attached bone. This means the tumor along with S1 through S5 vertebrae were removed to prevent the spread of the cancer into any other area in the body.
After the successful operation, Steve has now had to re-learn how to walk and do daily functions until he is fully healed from the surgery which may take years to fully recover. To everyone's surprise as soon as Steve started his initial recovery sessions at Johns Hopkins, he had exceeded their physical therapy expectations benchmarks and was able to be discharged to a rehabilitation center located near his home and family. He has a long and hopeful road ahead of him to contend with. But he won't be walking alone.
As his family we have been trying our best to support Steve and his wife, Erin, on this road to recovery to the best of our abilities.
Steve and Erin will be happily celebrating their third Wedding Anniversary on August 29th and it would be a wonderful thought that they could enjoy that day together at home with their family.
This is one way we as caring friends and loving family can show their love and support for these two kind and loving people both struggling with such new health challenges at home.
All funds generated from this campaign will go towards the various medical costs, hospital bills, rental medical equipment, out of state travel, rehabilitation costs, hotel stays, medicine, and follow up doctor visits. There is also a need to install a small bathroom on the first floor of their home.
Any donations are greatly appreciated and we are committed to doing whatever we can to show our sincere gratitude for your monetary support. I know, Steve and Erin, are forever grateful for all of the love, support, and encouragement during this overwhelming and most challenging time. Thank you so much for any assistance you may kindly offer.
JULY is Chordoma Cancer Awareness Month!!
My name is Cheri and I have started this fundraiser on behalf of my brother-in-law, Steve Perillo, who was shockingly diagnosed with a very rare type of bone cancer recently which only affects 1 in 1 million people. Currently, there are only approximately 300 people diagnosed with this cancer living in the US.
The malignant tumor was located at the base of Steve's spine in the sacrum and had been present from birth. It went unnoticed until May of 2018 when Steve saw a doctor for lower back pain.
An MRI test was requested and the results were sent to an oncologist who provided a consult and diagnosed Steve with Sacral Chordoma. Steve would be the doctor's 3rd patient in 40 years with this rare disease. Moving as quickly as possible with a lot of research and hard work done by his father-in law, Evan Parry and local doctor, Steve was scheduled for En-Bloc Cystectomy of his sacrum that was done by Dr. Dan Sciubba, the Director of Neurosciences at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD on June 20th.
If you know Steve as well as I do, you know that he was able to maintain his super positive and light-hearted attitude throughout the preoperative process. This along with multiple avenues of love and support from his wife and compassionate family members has helped him endure the 15-hour surgery to remove the tumor and attached bone. This means the tumor along with S1 through S5 vertebrae were removed to prevent the spread of the cancer into any other area in the body.
After the successful operation, Steve has now had to re-learn how to walk and do daily functions until he is fully healed from the surgery which may take years to fully recover. To everyone's surprise as soon as Steve started his initial recovery sessions at Johns Hopkins, he had exceeded their physical therapy expectations benchmarks and was able to be discharged to a rehabilitation center located near his home and family. He has a long and hopeful road ahead of him to contend with. But he won't be walking alone.
As his family we have been trying our best to support Steve and his wife, Erin, on this road to recovery to the best of our abilities.
Steve and Erin will be happily celebrating their third Wedding Anniversary on August 29th and it would be a wonderful thought that they could enjoy that day together at home with their family.
This is one way we as caring friends and loving family can show their love and support for these two kind and loving people both struggling with such new health challenges at home.
All funds generated from this campaign will go towards the various medical costs, hospital bills, rental medical equipment, out of state travel, rehabilitation costs, hotel stays, medicine, and follow up doctor visits. There is also a need to install a small bathroom on the first floor of their home.
Any donations are greatly appreciated and we are committed to doing whatever we can to show our sincere gratitude for your monetary support. I know, Steve and Erin, are forever grateful for all of the love, support, and encouragement during this overwhelming and most challenging time. Thank you so much for any assistance you may kindly offer.
JULY is Chordoma Cancer Awareness Month!!Organizer and beneficiary
Cheri Chonko
Organizer
Ocoee, FL
Stephen Perillo
Beneficiary