Gina's Medical Bills & Memorial
Donation protected
Beloved SoCal pioneering concert promoter Gina Zamparelli passed away on May 21st, 2018, after being diagnosed with Stage IV Glioblastoma on May 4th, 2018. Glioblastoma is the most aggressive primary brain tumor a person can fall victim to. After suffering a fall at home, she went into the emergency room on April 25th, where doctors immediately discovered a mass in her skull. She then had two surgeries on her brain. One to relieve the pressure in her head and the other, a delicate biopsy a week later. She was diagnosed with glioblastoma on May 4th. Her decline was rapid, both physically and cognitively. Not only did she never leave the hospital, she was never able to regain even basic to low-level functioning. For those close to her, it has been truly heartbreaking. Between May 4th and May 18th, the tumor grew exponentially. This growth was further fueled by the fact that the primary tumor was inoperable based upon its location in the center of Gina's brain. Surgery is the first line of defense in treating glioblastoma. Without surgery, death can occur in days or weeks, as it did for Gina. In addition to the primary tumor, multiple satellite lesions were found during a scan performed to determine whether or not to start radiation treatment.
Gina, having worked for herself for decades, did not have health insurance at the time of her hospitalization. It's unbelievable that a notable woman with so much concern for others actually had so little for herself. Gina’s family has applied for emergency benefits, but at this time, they are not only concerned about covering medical bills, they are extremely limited in their ability to follow her last wishes to be buried near her beloved father. Gina lived with and supported her mother, who is 81 years of age. Gina’s mother is now living on a fixed income.
Gina also had a deep passion for historical preservation, art and architecture, as well as helping to save animals. She led many notable fights, and created the nonprofit entity Friends of the Raymond Theatre, to help save the former Perkins Palace in Pasadena.
Friends are seeking to assist the family as they mourn the loss of this sweet, loving and loyal soul. Gina had only just turned 59 on May 8th. Your support will not only help carrying out Gina's last wish, but also aid Gina's family in the coming months, and with any medical bills that aren’t covered.
Any proceeds not used for medical bills will be sent to the City of Hope. We will send updates as the fund moves forward.
Dr. Christine Brown is doing landmark immunotherapy work known as CAR T therapy. In many cases tumors are disappearing, but more work needs to be done. Additionally, only people with recurrent tumors are able to join the current trial. Gina was not eligible as her tumor was considered primary.
You can read more here: https://www.cityofhope.org/car-t-cell-therapy-effective-for-brain-tumors
Funeral services will be held on, Saturday, June 16th, 2018, at 12:30pm at Holy Redeemer Church, located at 2411 Montrose Avenue, Montrose, CA 91020.
Gina, having worked for herself for decades, did not have health insurance at the time of her hospitalization. It's unbelievable that a notable woman with so much concern for others actually had so little for herself. Gina’s family has applied for emergency benefits, but at this time, they are not only concerned about covering medical bills, they are extremely limited in their ability to follow her last wishes to be buried near her beloved father. Gina lived with and supported her mother, who is 81 years of age. Gina’s mother is now living on a fixed income.
Gina also had a deep passion for historical preservation, art and architecture, as well as helping to save animals. She led many notable fights, and created the nonprofit entity Friends of the Raymond Theatre, to help save the former Perkins Palace in Pasadena.
Friends are seeking to assist the family as they mourn the loss of this sweet, loving and loyal soul. Gina had only just turned 59 on May 8th. Your support will not only help carrying out Gina's last wish, but also aid Gina's family in the coming months, and with any medical bills that aren’t covered.
Any proceeds not used for medical bills will be sent to the City of Hope. We will send updates as the fund moves forward.
Dr. Christine Brown is doing landmark immunotherapy work known as CAR T therapy. In many cases tumors are disappearing, but more work needs to be done. Additionally, only people with recurrent tumors are able to join the current trial. Gina was not eligible as her tumor was considered primary.
You can read more here: https://www.cityofhope.org/car-t-cell-therapy-effective-for-brain-tumors
Funeral services will be held on, Saturday, June 16th, 2018, at 12:30pm at Holy Redeemer Church, located at 2411 Montrose Avenue, Montrose, CA 91020.
Organizer
Gina Zamparelli
Organizer
Pasadena, CA