The Healing NET Foundation

In June of 2017, my dad was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer called high-grade poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma. Also known as NET. Sadly he passed away just four months later on October 22nd 2017 at 44 years old. He leaves behind a loving family, many friends, and five children who he adored dearly. Anyone who got the chance to know my Father knew how rare of a person he was just like this particular cancer. Thats why I would like to bring awareness to this disease in honor of our Dad Dino Aquilano and for the upcoming NET Cancer Awareness Day November 10th!

Unfortunately patients can have NET/NEC for years before being diagnosed. The cancer can arise anywhere there are endocrine or hormone-producing cells, such as the lung, small intestine, rectum, pancreas, or other sites. Some patients have symptoms, others don't. These symptoms are often misdiagnosed as asthma or inflammatory bowel disease. If you would like to learn more please check out the links I have provided below.

For more information, HealingNET .org

For donating directly, Donation

Gia Aquilano

I am raising money for The Healing Net Foundation on behalf of my husband, Dr. Kevin Bailey, who recently passed away from a rare form of cancer. If you've never heard of Neuroendocrine Cancer (NET), there's a high likelihood that you will - that someone you know or love will be affected by this cancer. Although rare, it is one of the fastest-growing cancers and ranges from indolent to very aggressive tumors. Many patients are misdiagnosed for years because the symptoms are so similar to other diseases. Most patients are Stage 4 at the time of their diagnosis.

My husband fought a 4-year battle with Neuroendocrine Cancer and went through many forms of treatment including the removal of a lung, multiple chemotherapies and a Y90 liver treatment. Unfortunately, none of these treatments were effective in stopping the disease from spreading. During the 4 years of Kevin's treatment, he continued to work and treat patients, many of whom had been in his care for years. His goal was to live another day to make a difference, spend time with his family, travel and do the things we loved.

Cancer took Kevin's life in September 2022 after side effects from medications used in a new clinical trial. He fought such a brave battle and did so with courage and dignity. The loss of this man is felt by so many -me, his children, brothers, family, professional colleagues and the thousands of patients he treated over the years.

I have made a personal commitment to honor this wonderful man's memory by raising funds to support a scholarship for a physician to study this disease with experts in the field. There are a limited number of physician experts who care exclusively for Neuroendocrine patients and they are aging out. Why is this significant? Many physicians never see a Neuroendocrine patient in their entire career much less know the contemporary treatments. Most patients travel to centers across the country or even the world to be treated by someone knowledgeable about this disease process. My goal is to ensure that one of the rarest, but fastest-growing cancers has experts in the field to care for our loved ones - our spouses, children, family, friends and co-workers.

There are many organizations dedicated to educating patients about cancers, The Healing Net is unique in that its primary focus is educating the medical community so that patients can get faster diagnosis and more evidence-based treatment. I am committed to raising $100,000 to support The Healing Net in its mission.

Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me. Please share on social media sites so we can ensure future patients receive the best possible care.

More information about The Healing NET Foundation: The Healing NET Foundation's mission is to optimize the care of those with neuroendocrine cancer through the education of and collaboration among physicians, health care providers, patients and caregivers. For more information visit: thehealingnet.org