A trip to Italy started Anthony DiFruscia's family down the longest, darkest journey of their lives.
"While in Italy last October, my wife Sherry developed a cough," he told the Thorold News.
The couple has three children, Alisa, Anthony and Adam, all in their 20s.
"We thought it was just a bronchial thing but a trip to the doctor led to X-rays, which led to a CT Scan and then more tests," he recounted.
"By December, she had been diagnosed with stage 3B lung cancer."
As Sherry began treatment, DiFruscia reluctantly became familiar with the Walker Family Cancer Centre.
"Considering you’re at the lowest point in your life, the people in that environment are just something special. I can’t say enough positive about the staff there. They know how to take a horrible situation and make you feel good in many different ways. We’re pretty fortunate, we’ve got one heck of a centre here in the Walker clinic," he said.
"My wife has been undergoing chemo and radiation and then immunotherapy, but we found out it wasn’t working so now she’s back into chemotherapy."
A few weeks ago they were in the hospital for a treatment when DiFruscia noticed several nurses wearing the Big Move Cancer Ride t-shirts.
"I didn’t know anything about this ride, the Big Move, so I asked one what it was all about. I was told it was to raise money for our clinic. I said, 'Do you mean for cancer research?' and she said 'No, it’s for this clinic'."
DiFruscia was surprised to learn that all the money raised in the Ride comes back to the Walker Centre.
"I found out that many nurses volunteer because a few weeks after the event, they get new equipment and supplies they’ve been waiting for. It goes directly to the Walker Cancer clinic. They raised over $300,000 last year and the clinic is directly affected by the positive support of the Ride."
He said their obvious enthusiasm and his experience with the staff inspired him to join the Ride.
A rookie rider, he explained that he and Sherry just took up cycling last summer and enjoyed their time on the trails and Niagara Circle Route.
"We had a fun time last year using the paths through Thorold and the Region. Unfortunately, Sherry can’t ride in her present condition, but I thought I would give it a shot. I thought it would be something I could feel good about," he shared.
Then something remarkable happened.
"I went online and registered, and uploaded my contacts to the pledge site. I thought, if I can raise $1,000 that would be pretty cool so I put down that as my goal. But within an hour I received three pledges for $1,000 each," he revealed.
At the time of publication DiFruscia is leading the individual participant category with $13,975.00 pledged and, in fact, is in third place overall, including the team fundraising category.
"Yes, it's turned into something a little bigger and it's been surprising to see the amount of support that people have put toward it. It's been overwhelming, to say the least," his voice cracked with the revelation.
"I can't believe how supportive people can be. The only positive I’ve found so far out of this experience is that people really step up. There are a lot of great people out there. You don’t think of these things and then something like this comes your way and you realize there’s a whole other world out there that could use your help," he said.
Since 2009, more than $3.7 million has been raised through the Ride, with all proceeds staying in Niagara to support patients of the regional Walker Family Cancer Centre.
DiFruscia is genuinely inspired and thrilled the money from the Big Move Cancer Ride will be going right back into the facility which he and his wife have become so impressed by, and dependent upon, for survival.
"You go there and the people there are just so, so special. You're looking at a dreary, horrible diagnosis. When we first went onto the second floor, the chemo floor, I was expecting a terrible atmosphere, but it’s the opposite. It is almost a happy place. People are smiling and talking; the intimidation I had walking into it was gone. We’re pretty damned fortunate to have such a great facility and people at the Walker clinic. They have been fantastic."
He shared, "We’re all affected somehow or some way, either ourselves or a family member. We’re all going to experience that environment so if we can support it and make it a little better, I’m happy to do my part."
It's conceivable that DiFruscia could top all participants, teams included. And the outpouring of support thus far has spurred him on to a higher goal.
"I just have to get to $15,000 now," he proclaimed.
Accepting the maximum challenge, he has opted to participate in the 75 km ride - the longest option available. But he is optimistic about his performance.
"I expect I’ll make it; I just don’t know how long it will take," he laughed.
"It's intimidating," he said, "but not as intimidating as the disease."
For anyone who wants to help Anthony reach his new goal, pledges are still being accepted on his page of the Big Ride Cancer Ride website.
