The 2023 Heat It To Beat It event will once again be both in person and VIRTUAL!! I'm raising money for the 14th year to support research and education about the life saving HIPEC surgery.  

For the fifth year in a row, I am dedicating the fundraising for HITBI to my husband, Chuck Dann, who died from a massive stroke on June 16, 2018.

Chuck was the most supportive and loving husband I could ever imagine as I underwent HIPEC surgery in November, 2008 and subsequently endured 10 months of chemo. He was always there for me and never, ever made me feel that I wasn't doing my best to get well.

This was the surgery that saved my life and I am now a 15 year survivor!

It's your support that is making it possible for more doctors to be aware that this surgery exists and the benefits it offers their patients who have been diagnosed with cancer of the peritoneum. As you know, Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy ( HIPEC) is a highly effective, concentrated, heated chemotherapy that is delivered directly to cancer cells in the abdomen – this cancer is known as peritoneal carcinomatosis ( PC).  The Institute for Cancer Care at Mercy is one of only a handful of medical institutions in the country that offer this treatment and is dedicating extensive research to the use of HIPEC in the fight against this rare form of cancer of the abdomen and organs within the abdominal cavity as well as treating ovarian cancer.

“Heat It To Beat It” refers to the use of the heated chemotherapy which we’ve all learned is essential in beating this type of cancer! The walk is our vehicle to raise awareness and the necessary funds to continue the research that brings us this life saving treatment. I was on the inaugural committee that launched this event 12 years ago.

I hope you will again consider supporting me and this important cause by making a donation!

Your support is appreciated! 

Love, Helen