At the time of our mother’s diagnosis, like most people, we had never heard of carcinoid, a deadly neuroendocrine cancer. Now we know that approximately a quarter of a million Americans have carcinoid or a related neuroendocrine tumor (NET).
- Tragically, it is estimated that about half of this number, or 125,000 Americans, have not been diagnosed. Neuroendocrine cancers are not rare; they are unknown.
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The good news is that carcinoid, along with other cancers, is curable. Recent breakthroughs in science have made what has always seemed a mere dream – discovering a cure for cancer - an achievable goal. In 2003 the National Cancer Institute (NCI) set as its goal to cure suffering and death related to cancer by 2015 (http://www.cancer.gov/aboutnci/2015).
We started this website for:
- Awareness: Often doctors are insufficiently aware of NET/carcinoid symptoms to effect a timely diagnosis or to make the necessary referrals. Accurate knowledge is the key to effective treatment.
- Fundraising: Making a donation through this site is fast, simple, and secure. Because neuroendocrine cancers share molecular features of pancreatic, lung, and other cancers, as well as diabetes, your donation has the potential to help millions of people in North America alone, and tens of millions worldwide. You can read about more ways to participate on our sunflower and triathlon pages.
- Support: We know there is a lot of alienation and sadness in the neuroendocrine/carcinoid community. The average person with NETs/carcinoid hasn’t met a single other person withNETs/ carcinoid. We know how overwhelming and difficult it is for someone you love to be diagnosed with cancer – and how much you need to support, and be supported. Each of us has started an online journal, or blog, to chronicle our experiences. We hope that these journals will help others struggling with NETs/carcinoid to see they are not alone.
We believe this challenge offers us an opportunity, if a difficult one, to grow together and live in hope as a community. If you are interested in participating or you would simply like to receive updates about our progress write to us(tritofindacure@gmail.com). We would like to hear your story, your questions, your fundraising ideas, your sadness, or your encouragement.
