John & Diane Maniscalco - Mesothelioma Journey

I am the oldest daughter of John and Diane Maniscalco. They are currently walking through the most difficult season of their lives together and our family is rallying around to hold them up and support one another. But we’re anticipating a few bumps in the road ahead and I’m asking for you to consider helping to smooth some of that with a contribution to this fundraiser. Here are the details I can share:

Dad has been diagnosed with end stage Mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Dad had multiple extensive exposures in his younger years, first working on the construction of the original Levittown housing complex on Long Island, and soon after during his service in the United States Navy, where he lived and worked on naval vessels and in shipyards during the Korean conflict. He is currently in hospice care and we don’t know from day to day what his survivability expectation may be or whether he will be well enough under their care to return home for a while. It’s quite a roller coaster checking in on him and consulting with his nursing staff each day.

Dad is 89 and otherwise very healthy for his age. This photo was taken just yesterday in the serenity garden at the hospital. So, this was a sucker punch to us all. He is an amazing man and an incredible father, well loved by family and friends. He daily demonstrates an almost inexplicable serenity about his current circumstances and has been just knocking our socks off with his desire to express thanks, love, and faith to everyone who walks into his room. I know I’ll never forget these visits. I doubt I could show that much peace if I were in his position.

Mom married Dad at the age of 18 and they recently celebrated their 63rd anniversary. They had 4 babies in 6 years and created a loving, healthy home life for us all. Their home has always been a place of refuge, unconditional love, and treasured memories. Mom is understandably devastated at the thought of life without her partner, love of her life and the center of her world. We’ve got her wrapped up tightly with love and support, but she is enduring an impossible amount of stress and sadness right now.

Now that you’ve met my parents, let me explain why I’m raising funds. As soon as Dad leaves us for his eternal home, her income will be temporarily interrupted while their benefits are revised and restarted in her name. This disruption may last for as much as 6 months. This will occur at exactly the time when she will need extra resources to cover the costs of getting their affairs in order, making funeral arrangements, and keeping the bill paying current on her own. Caring for Dad this last month has brought some unexpected expenses, and now there will be more. Eventually, this will all even out and she’ll be okay. But there’s going to be a gap…a significant gap…and I want to help her not feel any pain or concern in that time while she’s going through grief and probably a move to a new living arrangement. Of course, the family is helping where we can, but this is an extraordinary time. If our story has touched your heart and you would like to make a contribution, you will be helping a United States Veteran of Foreign Wars and his sweet, sweet bride at a most crucial moment.

I’ll post relevant updates here as we move forward. Thank you for spending this moment with my family and, in advance for your generosity. God Bless you as you bless us.