Justin Galante's fight against Chordoma
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As many of you know, my 25-year-old brother Justin Galante was diagnosed with a Chordoma earlier this month. A Chordoma is a rare type of cancerous tumor that can occur anywhere along the spine, from the base of the skull to the tailbone.
On April 4, Justin had a grand mal seizure at work, we are so thankful to his coworkers who took swift action and called 911. At the hospital, a CT and MRI showed a four-centimeter tumor on his brain stem, extending down to his C1 and C2 vertebrae of his spine. The tumor had to be removed because it was pressing on his brain stem, optic nerve, and spine.
Justin is now still in the ICU in a hospital in New York City. He needed two surgeries, the first to stabilize his spine and another to remove the tumor. He's had some bumps along the road and will be in the hospital at least another week. Our entire family has been devastated to watch him go through this pain.
Justin has a long and painful recovery ahead of him. After he is discharged from the hospital, he will begin proton beam radiation therapy for six weeks, for one hour every day. This which can cost up to $120,000 and is not covered by his insurance. Because of the seizure earlier in the month, Justin can't drive for a year. His treatment is nearly a one-hour drive away and some days he may need to take a car service there, adding to the cost.
Justin will be out of work on disability for some time, and neither of his parents work. Our dad has been disabled for nearly a decade, and our mother is our dad's, and now Justin's, full-time caregiver. That is why we started this campaign. Anything you can give would help Justin and our family.
A Chordoma is diagnosed in just one in one million people per year, according to the Chordoma foundation.
On April 4, Justin had a grand mal seizure at work, we are so thankful to his coworkers who took swift action and called 911. At the hospital, a CT and MRI showed a four-centimeter tumor on his brain stem, extending down to his C1 and C2 vertebrae of his spine. The tumor had to be removed because it was pressing on his brain stem, optic nerve, and spine.
Justin is now still in the ICU in a hospital in New York City. He needed two surgeries, the first to stabilize his spine and another to remove the tumor. He's had some bumps along the road and will be in the hospital at least another week. Our entire family has been devastated to watch him go through this pain.
Justin has a long and painful recovery ahead of him. After he is discharged from the hospital, he will begin proton beam radiation therapy for six weeks, for one hour every day. This which can cost up to $120,000 and is not covered by his insurance. Because of the seizure earlier in the month, Justin can't drive for a year. His treatment is nearly a one-hour drive away and some days he may need to take a car service there, adding to the cost.
Justin will be out of work on disability for some time, and neither of his parents work. Our dad has been disabled for nearly a decade, and our mother is our dad's, and now Justin's, full-time caregiver. That is why we started this campaign. Anything you can give would help Justin and our family.
A Chordoma is diagnosed in just one in one million people per year, according to the Chordoma foundation.
Organizer and beneficiary
Meredith Galante
Organizer
Aberdeen, NJ
Justin Galante
Beneficiary