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03/21/2017 02:46 PMWith a sell-out crowd, Branford-based Melissa Marottoli Hogan Foundation (MMHF) held its 5th annual Gala for a Cure at Woodwinds on Saturday, February 25, raising over $100,000 for lung cancer research.
MMHF was founded in 2012 to honor Melissa Marottoli, a non-smoker who lost her five-year battle with lung cancer, and to support cancer research in the area of immunotherapy. The non-profit, all-volunteer foundation donates 100 percent of its net revenue to the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale. To date, the foundation has raised over $300,000.
"On behalf of my family, we would like to send a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, attendees, Guilford Savings Bank, our wonderful committee and the many generous individuals and businesses that donated amazing items for our silent and live auctions," said MMHF president Lindsay Marottoli Greenberg, Marottoli's twin sister.
The foundation succeeds with the support of family, friends and caring community members including the 450 people who attended the Feb. 25 gala, a black-tie event.
Salvatore Marottoli, Melissa's dad, talked about why MMHF is focusing on immunotherapy.
"We chose Smilow and more particularly the research being headed up by Dr. Scott Gettinger because we felt it was the area most likely to see real progress in the fight to cure cancer. We became aware of the potential for immunotherapy while Melissa was being treated in Germany and Austria. We were convinced, back in 2010, that the real breakthroughs in treatment were not going to come from the more common chemotherapy drugs, many of them in use since before Melissa was born, but in a type of treatment not readily available in the U.S. at that time," he said.
Melissa Marottoli Hogan passed away on December 9, 2012, at the age of 31.
"Immunotherapy did not save Melissa, but we felt it prolonged her life and gave her a better quality of life," Marottoli continued. "When we came back to the United States and met with Dr. Gettinger, we were encouraged to hear that a handful of cancer centers in the U.S. were starting trials and exploring immunotherapy as an alternative to more common treatment protocols. The more we learned about Dr. Gettinger and his research, the more committed we became to supporting his efforts."
Dr. Gettinger's research at Smilow has led to several promising treatment options and now patients are living longer without many of the side effects associated with more traditional cancer drugs.
"It is good to see the research moving forward with positive results, and a plus to see it happening right here at Yale," added Marottoli. "It is also encouraging to learn immunotherapy is not only being explored in the treatment of lung cancer, but at least seven others."
Melissa's sister, Kristen Marottoli Peck, said the work of the MMHF may someday also help to bring about a cure.
"Our goal was to be part of the research that would help other families deal with this disease with more options than previously available," said Peck. "At first, we were simply hoping for a longer life for some patients, but after learning more and more about the breakthroughs in immunotherapy we are actually hearing medical professionals use the word CURE".
For more information about non-profit Melissa Marottoli Hogan Foundation and the research underway, or to make a donation, visit the foundation website here