Pocono News Section

Cancerpalooza Celebrates Life This Weekend

Cancerpalooza Celebrates Life This Weekend - Friday, July 11, 2008 at 4:52PM EST

Reported by: Jeff Chirico
Friday, Jul 11, 2008 @ 04:52pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY --This weekend, people are celebrating Cancerpalooza in Lackawanna County. It's a celebration of one woman's victory over childhood cancer and the lingering health problems it caused her. In a special Healthbeat report, our Jeff Chirico has more on this upcoming fundraiser.

The goal of the event is to raise money for cancer organizations---and awareness of the need for new chemotherapy drugs for children. He was at a playground, came down the slide and landed on his belly and started complaining of belly pain."

That's what tipped doctors off to a tumor in then three-year-old mason dantone's kidney.

"It was like the bottom was taken out from under us. I can't describe the way it feels." The Pittston boy underwent 6 months of chemotherapy --wearing his superhero costume to each treatment. Mason Dantone Cancer survivor "Did it give you special powers? Yea. What powers? Fire! Muscles? Yea. Let me see those. Holy cow. Those are good muscles."

Mason will serve as the golden boy for Sunday's Cancerpalooza --organized by another childhood cancer survivor. Tina Jezuit of Jermyn says the lingering effects of chemotherapy caused gout, heart failure, and at age 30... Tina Jezuit Cancerpalooza organizer "The last word I said was help. I had a massive stroke. I was paralyzed on the right side and literally speechless."

Over the past year and a half, Tina has fought back. And now lobbies for more kid-friendly chemotherapy. "The thing that's most shocking and bothersome to me is in the past 45 years only 2 chemos were developed for treating pediatric cancers." So many young patients receive the same chemotherapy adults get.

Fortunately, Mason's cancer is in remission. "Its just amazing to see him have hair and energy and running around." But his grandmother knows the chemotherapy can have lasting health effects. So she vows he'll get close follow-up care.

Cancerpalooza Sunday, July 13 from 2pm to 7pm
Montdale Country Club, Jermyn.
You can buy tickets at the door or ahead of time at Lavender Goose in Peckville or Rock Street Music in Pittston.
For more information on tickets or the event email Tina Jezuit at chemogirl88@msn. com or call 570-466-0658.

Cancerpalooza will feature door prizes, music, fun and games, dinner, snacks, and a visit from Santa Claus (Christmas in July)