Thank you for taking time to look into a cause that is near and dear to my heart.  My name is Robert Morrissey.  I am 43 years old and live in East Bridgewater, MA  with my wife, Tammy and son, Cameron.  I've been a Teamster since 1981.  My dad was a lifetime Teamster who retired with 30 years of service.  During the years that I worked with my dad in the Teamsters' Union he taught me important values such as hard work, respect and Teamwork.  I enjoyed working with my dad for many years along with my brother and sister Teamsters.

In July of 2007 my world was turned upside down when I went into the hospital for stomach pain. Thinking that I was suffering from an ulcer, I assumed I would take some medication and be on my way. Much to my surprise I quickly learned that I had a tumor near my appendix. I was transported from the local hospital to Tufts Medical Center, a hospital known for a great gastro program. Once at Tufts I met Dr. Martin Goodman, a young Surgical Oncologist who had transferred to Tufts Medical Center two weeks prior to my arrival. After a few tests Dr. Goodman diagnosed me with Appendiceal cancer, a rare and particularly deadly form of the disease. I was in luck as Dr. Goodman specializes in abdominal cancers and was experienced in a unique approach to fight this cancer. Dr. Goodman surgically removes the cancer that he can see, closes the abdomen and circulates heated chemotherapy in the abdominal cavity for an hour. Hopefully, the heated chemotherapy kills th remaining cancer cells left behind. The procedure takes about 10 hours and is the only available option to possibly beat this rare cancer.

In August of 2007 I was Dr. Goodman's first patient in Boston to receive this treatment. The recovery was about 5 months and I returned to work in January of 2008. I underwent 6 months of traditional chemotherapy until the summer of 2008. I have been having regular CAT scans to monitor the condition under the watchful eye of Dr. Goodman. Recovery has been great, I feel better and better as time goes on.

During recovery I would talk with Dr. Goodman about the disease to try to learn as much as I could. Dr. Goodman would always spend whatever time I needed to explain things. One of the most frustrating things was that he didn't have any definitive answers because there are not many studies done in this area due to its rarity. Because of the lack of studies, the cancer is not well known even amongst other doctors. It is often misdiagnosed as a different type of cancer and mistreated with the wrong medicines and chemotherapy. I have learned that Dr. Goodman would like to conduct research on abdominal cancers, conduct training to other doctors about properly diagnosing these cancers. This training would also include teaching the heated chemotherapy method to treat this very specific cancer.

As I began feeling better, one of my closet friends and co-workers, Leif Thornton, took interest in my recovery. Leif and I had recently picked up cycling as a hobby. Leif came up with the idea for us to visit each local in New England by bicycle as a way of raising funds. After I told him he was crazy, I began to digest the idea and thought it would be a great way to raise money for Dr. Goodman and Tufts Medical Center. After all without them I would not be alive today.

So I come to you with great humility and thanks. On behalf of Leif and myself, I express our sincere gratitude for your support.

-Bob Morrissey

On a sunny summer day in 2007 I was told that my very good friend, Bob Morrissey, was in the hospital. He had been diagnosed with cancer. This news hit me like a ton of bricks as it does to all of us who have people close to us with cancer. My name is Leif Thornton. I am 47 years old, have been a Teamster for 27 years and I am currently Vice President of Teamsters Local 82.

As a member of the Teamsters' union, I have participated in collections for various brothers and sisters, given to charities in the community (Light up the Night for Autism, Cycle for Life bike challenge for Tufts Medical Center). After learning of Bob's dilemma, I tried to think of a way to help.

I came up with this idea to reach out to the 60, 000 Teamsters of New England by cycling 900 miles in two weeks. Bob and I will be visiting each local union office in the Joint Council 10. Our goal is to raise money to fund cancer research and education through Dr. Goodman and Tufts Medical Center. We hope that this endeavor will be a success and lead to an annual ride that will attract others to join us.

Thank you for your support.

-Leif Thornton

OUR CHALLENGE TO ALL OF OUR TEAMSTER BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND THEIR FRIENDS:

We challenge each of you to donate $10.00 (about the cost of breakfast at your favorite diner.) A gesture like this will raise significant funds to start this research project.

Checks can be mailed to:
Teamsters Against Cancer
348 D Street
South Boston, MA 02127

donate online >>

Teamsters Against Cancer is a non-profit organization. Our mission is to educate about a rare form of cancer--appendiceal and to raise money to fund research about this specific cancer.