On Sunday, September 22, 2024 I will participate in the 15th Annual “Heat It To Beat It” walk. You can be a part of it by making a donation on my fundraising page or joining Team Dottie P! This walk was launched fifteen years ago to raise awareness and funds for research for a unique surgery and treatment of a rare form of cancer.

The spread of cancer throughout the abdomen is known as peritoneal carcinomatosis. A treatment called HIPEC is a highly effective, concentrated, heated chemotherapy that is delivered directly to the abdomen immediately after the surgical removal of advanced abdominal cancers.  HIPEC is used to treat appendiceal, colon, and gynecologic cancers, as well as peritoneal mesothelioma.  The HIPEC treatment helps eliminate any remaining cancer cells following the surgical removal of the disease. 

The Institute for Cancer Care at Mercy is one the top medical institutions in the United States that offers HIPEC treatment and is dedicating extensive research to increase HIPEC awareness and understanding within the medical community.

“Heat It To Beat It” refers to the heated chemotherapy that is used, which is essential in beating this type of cancer! The walk is our vehicle to raise awareness and the necessary funds to continue advancing medicine through research and promoting this life saving treatment.

I am motivated to participate in this event because I am a fourteen year survivor of appendiceal cancer.  When I was first diagnosed, the oncologist I was seeing did not tell me of this option.  He told me to "wait and see what happens."  I found out through word of mouth about Dr. Sardi. Many people (and physicians) are unaware of the success rate of this treatment, so many patients find out too late that this can be a cure.  My wish is that everyone who can benefit from HIPEC is made aware of it by their physicians and encouraged to get this specialized help.  

I hope you will consider supporting this important cause by joining my team, registering to participate, or by directly making a donation!

Your support is appreciated!