In honor of our dear friend, Karen Celano, we will participate in the 15th Annual Heat It To Beat It event in Baltimore on September 22, 2024. Raising awareness and funds to continue research for this life-saving, very unique surgery, is what Heat It To Beat It is all about.

In March 2021, Karen, 55 year-old wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and amazing friend, was diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer. She worked full-time, exercised on a regular basis, was in good health, and took care of herself.  Under the skillful hands of Dr. Armondo Sardi, Karen endured an extensive abdominal surgery followed by HIPEC, Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy. 

HIPEC is a highly effective, concentrated, heated chemotherapy that is delivered directly into the abdomen immediately after the surgical removal of advanced abdominal cancers. It helps to eliminate any remaining cancer cells that may be circulating. Heat It to Beat It refers to this heated chemotherapy which is essential in beating this type of cancer! This event is our vehicle to raise awareness and the necessary funds to continue advancing medicine through research and promoting this life saving treatment. The Institute for Cancer Care at Mercy is one of 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. 

Karen was graced by outstanding care at Mercy Medical Center and we are forever grateful. She experienced multiple complications during the recovery process, had several different chemotherapy agents, chemo-embolization to the liver and radiation to her brain. She rarely complained, was hope oriented and determined to be a part of the upcoming milestones for her three children. We lost Karen in December 2023 after a valiant two years and nine months battle. The void in our lives is great.  If not for HIPEC, Karen may not have had the time she did with us but one more day would never be enough.  

Please consider supporting this important cause by joining our team, registering to participate, or by directly making a donation! Your support is so very much appreciated!

With love, 

Fran, Sharon and Kim