Anthony Barnao Medical Fund

Anthony is a light in so many of our lives. His magnetic personality brings joy and laughter to all who know and love him. Anthony’s optimistic nature and deep sense of faith are now helping him face the greatest challenge of his life.

About two months ago, our uncle Anthony began falling easily and developed weakness on his right side. After only a few weeks of these symptoms, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma (or GBM). Unfortunately, due to the location of the tumor, it is not operable. He now has no use of the right side of his body and cannot walk or transfer himself out of bed.

Anthony is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation in Los Angeles. He can no longer live on his own and has been unable to be discharged from the hospital since the first day he went to the ER. We hope that the current treatment will stop the tumor progression and allow him more quality time to spend with his loved ones.  We are so thankful for the wonderful care he has received from medical staff and for the extensive support network of his California friends, who have been like family. They have showered him with love and prayers through their many visits, and we would not have been able to get through these weeks without them. 

Anthony has shared that his one wish is to be able to get back to New York where he can be with his family. He  enjoyed growing up as part of a large, Italian family and returned home often to be with his parents, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He cherished this time and these memories.

Due to the level of care he needs, getting Anthony to New York would require significant funds to arrange special accommodations. Likely, he cannot travel on a commercial flight and may need private air medical transport. As he continues to fight this aggressive cancer in New York, he will encounter continued medical expenses and need to be in a 24 hour skilled nursing facility.

We know many of you have asked how you can help during this difficult time.  We would be especially grateful if you could help make Anthony’s wish a reality.

This GoFundMe account will support costs for Anthony’s  transportation, continued medical expenses, and resident care in a skilled nursing facility. This account was set up by Anthony's nieces and cousins.  The designated beneficiary of the funds will be his sister, Maria Lee who will be making the payments for his care.

Any donation, no matter how small, can help.  We also ask that you share the link in any way you can - email, Facebook, Twitter, etc, so we can reach as many people as possible.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.
- Anthony’s family


For more information on GBM, here is a link to  a pamphlet by the American Brain Tumor Association:

http://www.abta.org/secure/glioblastoma-brochure.pdf