At every walk, we honor those people who have been through treatment or are currently undergoing treatment. They are our Patient Heroes and the inspiration to continue with the fight against blood cancers. Read their stories, feel their determination and help us find a cure!

 Mercer Patient Hero

 Gary Chiarello

My name is Gary Chiarello; I am a forty-one year old life long Mercer County resident.  I live in Hamilton Township with my wife and three children. Being selected as this years Honoring Hero for Mercer County is truly an honor for myself and my family. Having the word hero next to my name is kind of awkward for me, for I never thought of myself as that. 

My journey began in January of 2004 while walking through the streets of New York City. While I was carrying my six year old daughter, I had pain in my chest and felt shortness of breath. Later that week I went for a routine chest x-ray and it was discovered that I had a large mass in my chest.  A few weeks later I went for a biopsy and a subsequent pet scan revealed that I had B-cell Stage IV Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  At age thirty six and believing that I was extremely healthy, hearing those words that I had cancer was something I was never prepared for and did not want to accept.

After consulting with three oncologists in our area and one in New York City, my treatment schedule was set. I was told that I would receive chemotherapy anywhere from seven to eight months and perhaps, if things went well, a stem cell transplant. I began treatment at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey at Hamilton where I received seven rounds of a Treatment regimen called C.H.O.P. and two rounds of treatment called I.C.E.  After significant shrinkage of the tumor in my chest and other areas of my body free of cancer, I was then transferred to the Cancer Institute of New Jersey at New Brunswick to begin the process of a stem cell transplant.  After having my two brothers and sister tested to see who was compatible, it was discovered that my brother Ralph was a perfect six out of six match.

In September of 2004, the exact day of this years Light the Night walk; I was admitted to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick to begin what could have amounted to anywhere between 32 to 45 days in isolation to receive my transplant.  After a few days of high dose chemotherapy, I received my transplant on October 1, 2004 (which we like to refer to as my second birthday) with my wife, brother Ralph, sister-in-law, and several nurses and doctors in the room.  Everything went extremely well and I was released from the hospital after just twenty two days.  At that time we could have only hoped that we would all be here four years later on this special night.

Webster's dictionary defines the word "Hero" as a man of great Strength and Courage, a person who is looked up to for doing something Brave or Outstanding.  Having the Strength, Courage and Bravery to survive this journey has only been possible because of the strength I receive from God, the overwhelming support of my wife Toni, the courage to fight each and every day for my children, Anthony, Alyssa and Dominic, my brother Ralph who through him I have a second chance at life, and the outstanding support of my entire family and friends. Lastly, Dr. Strair and Jackie Manago from the Cancer Institute of NJ in New Brunswick, whose medical care and friendship have been incredible.

Thank you to everyone who donates and supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and to them for their continued aggressive research into blood cancers.  Hopefully someday we find a cure for all cancers.

Camden Patient Heroes

In January 1999 my parents informed me that Judi was out of remission and the cancer came back.  We couldn’t understand that a cancer as curable as Hodgkin’s came back. The doctor wanted to do a more aggressive regimen to knock the cancer out for good. She had more rounds of radiation and chemo to the point where she was completely wiped out. It was now the time to do the auto stem cell transplant. She had that done in April of 1999. Judi was discharged from the hospital and was in “remission”. Things were rough, Judi lost all of her hair and lost more weight. She kept her beautiful smile from ear to ear in spite of what was happening to her.  We never once stopped thinking “what if”, even though we were all so optimistic. Judi kept us going, we kept her going and so did beautiful Francesca. All of us just thank God that she was able to get the stem cell transplant and back on the road to recovery. In August 1999 things took another unexpected turn. She began coughing again. The cancer came back. My sister and parents went for a second opinion. The doctor looked her right in the face and told her that there was very little hope at this time. We were devastated. They left and said that they would never hear such a thing and that she was going to think and be positive and beat this, no matter what anyone said. She returned back to her original doctors and began more radiation and chemo. Judi now needed an allo transplant. The HLA could not find a match and we were frantic. We reached out to everyone we knew to help us. We had flyers and posters, chain emails and phone calls for people to get tested. No one was a match. The closest match was my cousin Sara, but even then the match was 6 out of 8. There was no other choice and the doctors said that she still has a great chance of survival. The biggest risk was infection and graft vs. host disease. Judi was transplanted on 4/19/2000. One week later she was in the hospital for graft vs host disease. Things at this point really started to close in on all of us. Judi was in and out of the hospital all summer long with infection and GVHD. On September 5^th  she entered the hospital for the last time. My sister suffered until Sunday October 29, 2000.  She passed from an infection in her lung. I remember being at her bedside like it was yesterday. I replay it in my mind constantly. Words can not describe how much I miss her. There is no word to describe the emptiness I feel in my heart mind and soul.  When my sister passed, a part of me died inside. The only person that brings her memory alive is my beautiful Godchild Francesca. When I look at her and she smiles at me , I feel like a part of Judi is there with us. Without her, I don’t know how any of us would have gotten through this. My parents, just like my sister are heros to me. The strength that they have to get through this is unbelievable. I say this because not even two years later my father almost lost his life to heart disease. He had a heart transplant July 14^th 2003. He is doing well and he too has just developed his “karaoke singing “career. The only thing I can truly believe is that our angel in heaven was pulling for him. 

 ~Marla Viturello

Ronald K. Brownlee Jr.
November 18, 1985 – June 5, 2008

Ronnie was known to all as a loving and compassionate young man with a unique personality. He had hopes of becoming a professional baseball player, or owning his own clothing or skateboarding shop. He had a deep passion for baseball and played since the age of 5. Ronnie played varsity baseball, 2^nd base, at St. Augustine Prep high school, and continued to play at Cumberland County College. Everything changed for Ronnie and our family on May 22, 2007, when we would find out the terrible news that he was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) at the young age of 21. It all started with horrible bruising and lower back pain. Many chemo treatments were endured to get him in remission for a bone marrow transplant. By the grace of God, his only younger brother Kenneth at 18, was a perfect match in every way.

He had his bone marrow transplant on August 28, 2007. While in isolation for a month, he would entertain himself by playing his guitar, riding the exercise bike, and watching many of his comedy movies. He had a great sense of humor and would joke around with the doctors and nurses. He always believed that laughter was the best medicine. Since he was a little boy he was a very talented artist. He sketched motivational pictures and gave some to the staff at the University of Penn Hospital. They were touched when he game the pictures to them. Unfortunately, the leukemia came back 48 days after his transplant. Ronnie needed to go through another round of chemo to get him back into remission for a donor leukocyte infusion (DLI, t-cells from his brother Kenneth.) On October 31, 2007, he was transfused with his brother’s t-cells. There was only a 15% chance that the DLI would be effective. During this time he developed graph vs. host disease in his liver. We thought it was a good sign because Kenneth’s bone marrow and blood were 99% engrafted. In March 2008, Ronnie started getting horrible headaches at night accompanied by violent vomiting. Later we would find out that the cancer had managed to get into his central nervous system.

After 8 lumbar treatments of chemo in his spine, the pain was too intense, so he had a port implanted in his skull for the remaining treatments. The cancer also managed to reach the lining of his spine, which caused terrible nerve damage down his arms and hands. He would need 12 treatments of full cranial/spinal radiation. Even after all that, he still managed to keep up with his friends and go out driving in his car. The disease never kept him down. Do to all of the steroids, he developed myopathy of his legs. We all believed that God was with Ronnie and our family. When Ronnie could hardly make it up and down the stairs, he knew God was carrying him, as he read in the foot print prayers. Even though he had 2 relapses, he still believed that he was cured. He was very optimistic and thought that everyone else was worse off than him. Four weeks after his radiation treatments, almost a year later on May 18, 2008, Ronnie relapsed in his bone marrow again. We rushed him to the University of Penn Emergency Room for the last time with another huge bruise on his right arm. He never gave up and said he would take the chemo and go ahead with another 3^rd party bone marrow transplant. After his first chemo treatment, Ron was rushed to the ICU and fought the fight of champions for 2 weeks. God knew that he would not be able to withstand another transplant and took him into his graces on June 5, 2008.

Ocean Grove Patient Heroes

 Lance Hamilton

Lance Stanley Harry Hamilton was born September 1, 2001. He was a happy baby and toddler and a joy to be around. He began having unexplained pains and weakness a few months prior to his diagnosis. Twice in February 2006 we took Lance to the emergency room for what we thought may be a fractured arm, and later a fractured leg. On February 23, 2006, at four and a half years old, Lance was diagnosed with leukemia. 

 In one beat of our hearts our lives were forever changed. A possible bone infection in his leg, and subsequent surgery caused Lance to be immobilized for six weeks. We weren’t sure that Lance would ever walk again. We didn’t know anything about leukemia. We weren’t sure about so many things. But we were sure about one thing – we would fight the fight of our lives with Lance and for Lance. 

 Today Lance is a second grader at Morris Avenue Elementary School in Long Branch. He missed half of the preschool program and half of kindergarten due to his illness. Lance was tutored at home for a time until he was able to return to school. Although he missed some time due to hospitalizations and treatment, Lance did complete first grade. He, not surprisingly, usually needs a gentle push to get homework done, but Lance is a very smart boy who does well in math. 

 Lance’s additional accomplishments include being the recipient of a gold medal for reading at the Morris Avenue Elementary School; he is an accomplished Nintendo DS and PS2 video game player and Lance recently began challenging other Internet players around the world in checkers. 

 Despite receiving chemotherapy daily, the spinal taps and port access, Lance continues to be brave and strong. He is an excellent swimmer who, this summer, began jumping and diving from the diving board. In addition to his accomplishments Lance enjoys rollerblading, ice skating, skateboarding, swimming and going to the beach. Also, he is a great fan of Ben 10.      

 Lance is our hero and our inspiration. Lance’s namesake, “Uncle Lance” is currently serving in Iraq and he, too, calls Lance a hero and the bravest boy he knows. We are very proud of Lance. He has endured chemotherapy, multiple hospitalizations, and the side effects of so many medications like a champion. He knows that God is Good all the time. He knows that despite his illness we are blessed and we are never alone. We are prayerful and thankful and continue to count our blessing each and every day. God bless the children – all of them! 

 Jack McLoone

 Perhaps Jack’s finest personality trait is his affection for younger children he has met during this difficult time. Even at his sickest, he worried about other patients he met at the hospital and enjoyed trying to help encourage them.

Wildwood Patient Hero

Gregory J. Stires
December 18, 1982 – September 18, 2005

Greg was an energetic, fun loving 21 year old. He loved his family very much and cared for even those whom he just met. Greg was the youngest of two children born to Chris and Jim Stires. He had such a funny, easy going spirit. People would meet him for the first time and instantly become attached to his life. Greg would do anything for anybody, even giving the last shirt he owned off his back. Greg was always very active from the time he was able to walk. He never wasted a minute just sitting around. He always kept himself busy, living his life to the fullest. He played baseball from age five until age sixteen. He then was on a softball team for two years. Greg was a hard worker who took great pride in his jobs. He held down two jobs, one at a machine shop in the day time and at night he worked for the UPS Hub in Lawnside. It may have been the hardest job he had, but it was his favorite. He liked a challenge and looked forward to going to UPS every night. Greg, in his free time, also loved fishing on his uncle’s boats with his cousin. He always seemed to come home from his fishing trips with some funny story to tell, along with a fish to show. Greg was just such an amazing person with so many wonderful qualities to offer.

 On September 17, 2004 Greg’s whole world changed when eh was diagnosed with that awful word known as cancer. He was in Kennedy hospital at the time of the diagnosis. When he was diagnosed with cancer they were not sure what type of cancer it was. Greg was then transferred to Hahnemann Hospital. It was there on September 21, 2004 that we learned that Greg had a blood cancer named Lymphoma. From the time Greg arrived in Hahnemann we felt confident that we had a great group of doctors and nurses. They worked hard and fast trying their best to help him bead the Lymphoma. Once Greg was at Hahnemann he had to have fluid removed from his abdomen. The fluid was removed several times by suctioning the fluid through a syringe in his back. This process was quite dangerous and it had the possibility of puncturing a lung. Of course, on one of the attempts to remove the fluid, it did cause a small puncture in his lung. The puncture was small enough thought to heal on its own. In between fluid removals, Greg had to have a small surgical procedure to implant a porta-cath so he could start chemotherapy. Greg immediately had to go through six months of extensive chemotherapy. The doctors had to treat his Lymphoma so aggressively because he had such an aggressive form of Lymphoma. After the six months of chemo were through, a blood test showed that Greg was in remission. Finally we thought the chemo had paid off. We hoped we would have our Greg back to his normal self. He continued to go back to the hospital to have blood work done to make sure that he was still in remission.

 Three months later, Greg was back in the hospital due to a strange rash all over his body. It was then that we were told that the rash was due to low cells in his body. At that time, a test confirmed that Greg did in fact have cancer once again. Now, Greg had a different form of blood cancer called Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Greg went through several more chemo treatments and numerous blood tests. He encountered many different side effects due to the chemo. Even when he was going through all of this he kept in good spirits. Greg would quite often be his funny self trying to make others laugh, when we really should have been making him laugh. Greg never seemed to worry about himself. He seemed to worry more about his family and friends. Greg needed a bone marrow transplant to hopefully be in remission again. His parents and sister jumped at the chance to see if they were a match. Greg’s mother seemed to be the closest match to be his bone marrow donor. The chance for a bone marrow transplant never came though. Greg’s white blood cell count never came up enough for him to go through the procedure. He just kept experiencing setback after setback. Greg eventually could not breath efficiently enough. He started to hallucinate and had to be moved to the ICU. In the ICU, eh was put on life support putting up the toughest fight of his life. For a whole week Greg was in the ICU with all of this family and friends surrounding him. He showed them just how tough he really was and how strongly he wanted to survive. Unfortunately, it was just too much for his body to handle. All who knew Greg will never forget him and what he meant to them. Greg was a great brother and friend to his sister. He was also a truly wonderful son to his parents. We love and miss him always. May our angel who lived here on earth for such a short time now be our angel up above?