Battling And Beating Cancer

Shortly before his eleventh birthday, Paul experienced a severe backache.  Before long he could no longer walk.  Fortunately, his sister Linda was studying to be a doctor in Indianapolis.  She advised her parents to take Paul to Riley's Children's Hospital in Indianapolis.  Within four hours, Paul was in surgery.  Paul was diagnosed with non-Hogkin lymphoma.  His parents were told that Paul would not walk again.  In their wisdom, they did not convey this information to Paul who was a fighter.  Paul went through 18 months of experimental chemotherapy and radiation therapy.  Paul made it through his treatment -- he lost his hair for awhile and told many funny stories about his wig.  He was cured and able to walk! 

Paul grew up, married a wonderful lady, and became a father of two, beautiful twin girls. 

Paul was tested in January 2008 and informed that he needed emergency bypass and valve replacement surgery.  Doctors attributed the heart damage to his childhood cancer treatment.  Ultimately, Paul passed away in February 2008.  Paul was the beneficiary of medical research --  living and loving for many years.  The picture above shows Paul and his lovely wife Anastasia and Paul?s legacy --  beautiful twins Antonella and Miranda.

The Paul Falconio Research Grant is funding research on small cell lymphoma.  Contact Chicago Blood Cancer Foundation if you would like to contribute to this grant.