Mariano’s Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer

Hello my name is Chloe and I’m writing this on behalf of my dad and family—as many of you know my father Mariano was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer in November of 2020. He has gallantly been fighting this terrible disease for over two years now--- the survival rate for the average patient diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer is 9 months to 1 year. We are very aware that even now, he is a living miracle. Many of you know and love my dad for his big, warm and welcoming personality. You love him as the creator of La Puccia and the maker of your favorite pizza. He is the friendly face and voice behind the counter that always greets you with a smile and never forgets your name or the people in your family. He has worked alongside my mom, brother and sister in the restaurant ever since receiving his diagnosis. Working after chemo treatments and through the pains and discomfort brought on by the side effects and the havoc that the disease has wreaked on his body, yet he still would put in 12 hour a day shifts. We all joke that it is because of my father’s stubbornness and strong nature that he has been able to put up this fight against this wicked disease. Mariano has one of the strongest wills most have ever seen that he continues to surprise even his doctors and nurses. Most recently, Mariano’s condition has worsened, chemo doesn’t seem to be having the same effect that it used to, and he has hit some bumps in the road. He has been in the hospital a total of 6 times since February. We know and believe that if anyone can continue fighting and beat this disease it is my Dad, and he does not want to give up this fight.

Some may think we are delusional, but we believe that where there is life there is hope and we will not stop fighting and advocating for him! With this new set of health challenges, he must overcome and with chemo not being an option right now we have had to look to alternative approaches to help heal his body which are not covered by insurance.

 All of this comes at a cost and the expenses continue to build. We want to be able to leave no stone unturned in his healing process. We have held off on starting a page like this for a long time, first and foremost we ask for prayers, but we are at a point where any other help would be greatly appreciated.

 

We thank you truly from the bottom of our hearts!

Forza Mariano!

Love,

The Fanelli’s