Zanghi Family Fund

Chris and wife Jill Zanghi have been building a life together for the last decade. After meeting 10 years ago at a Halloween party, these two fell deeply in love and soon thereafter got married to begin a life together. With two children, John and Sam, ages 3 and 5, they now share a family.

Chris is a husband, father and friend. An Amherst, NY native, Chris grew up in the suburbs of Buffalo, and has been a lifelong Bills fan. Known to family, friends, neighbors and coworkers as a fun-loving guy who always enjoys bringing a smile to someone else’s face, Chris is an avid sports enthusiast and 3-time fantasy football champion, who loves singing karaoke, playing softball, bowling and of course, spending his free time with his wife and children.

For five years now, Chris has been seeing a blood doctor due to issues with low white and red blood cells, platelets and hemoglobin. His condition was originally discovered through routine blood work for an annual physical. In December 2022, after his numbers dropped a bit, he was sent for a bone marrow biopsy. A couple weeks later, he received a phone call and where he learned he had Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) with excess blasts.

MDS is a kind of blood cancer that has the potential to progress aggressively into leukemia. At the recommendation of his doctors, Chris learned that chemotherapy was the best course of treatment.

Just weeks later, Chris began his first round of chemo, and is preparing for several possible additional rounds. The doctors tell him that he will need to get a bone marrow transplant. There is a lot that goes into the transplant, including having to find a donor that is a match. The procedure requires shutting down his immune system to do the transplant as well, which presents a big risk, since his body will have no internal defense system to protect him should he get sick. Once he receives the transplant, Chris will need 3-4 months of near-isolation, so that his body can fully accept the transplant and build his immune system back up.

The Zanghi’s now has begun a grueling journey to battle his diagnosis. While Chris, Jill and their children have had a tough last few weeks, they continue to keep a positive mindset, as they know the treatments will help him and his family beat this.

We are asking for donations of any amount to help this family cover the cost of meals, childcare, procedures not covered by insurance, loss of income and eventual loss of benefits and any additional support they need. We thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for supporting this special family through a tragic time.