Chris Robbins Cancer Support Fund

Welcome to Chris Robbins’s GoFundMe page. As many of you are aware, Chris recently received a diagnosis of Ewing Sarcoma, a very rare and aggressive form of cancer. This will make life very challenging for Chris and his family over the next few months. We are hoping to raise funds to offset medical bills and general expenses incurred by him and his family during this difficult time.

In May 2022 Chris felt a lump in his arm pit region that continued to grow causing him pain, a tingling sensation, numbness and a lot of discomfort. Chris was concerned and headed straight to the doctor to be checked out. After assessment and X-rays, he was informed he needed additional tests and was referred to a specialist. He received an MRI which suggested the lump was a Peripheral Sheath Nerve Tumor. The doctors informed him that this type of tumor is typically benign and not to worry. The main concern at this time was any possible nerve damage due to the location and growth of the tumor. No biopsy was completed prior to surgery due to the location of the tumor (within his nerves) and the confidence from the doctors that this was a benign tumor.

The surgery was scheduled and performed November 1, 2022 at Penn Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, once the neurosurgeon began to remove the tumor, she realized this was something different than what was initially presented in reports. The tumor was entrenched in Chris’s nerves causing the surgeon to cut his nerve and attempt to graft it back together. The surgery took much longer than expected but they were able to remove about 95% of the tumor. Chris currently has nerve damage impacting his right arm and does not have full function of some of his right fingers. This causes pain along with frustration as Chris’s primary hand is his right hand.

On November 15, 2022 Chris and Ali received the phone call that the pathology report was in and this was in fact a cancerous tumor, more specifically a Ewing Sarcoma. This is a very rare type of cancer typically forming in bones or in the soft tissue around the bones. This type of cancer is most commonly diagnosed in children and teenagers (About 200 cases a year in the U.S.) and even more rarely diagnosed in adults. This is a fast-moving cancer that requires aggressive treatment and constant attention. At this time, the testing and PET Scans indicate the cancer has not metastasized and is localized. More testing is still required but initial reports have provided positive feedback.

Chris now has a long and difficult road ahead of him to fight and beat this cancer. He started his first chemo treatment on Friday, December 9, 2022 at Penn's Abramson Cancer Center in Philadelphia. He will receive a very strong and aggressive combination of 3 different IV liquid chemo drugs through his recently implanted chemo port above his heart. His chemo regimen will last for 7 months and needs to be administered about 4 times a month at the cancer center for 8 hours a day. 3 months into the chemotherapy schedule he will also begin radiation everyday for about 5 weeks. We are committed to having his treatments done at the University of Penn to ensure he is monitored closely by the best team of doctors.

Chris is a strong man, prideful, and a fighter and we fully expect him to beat this diagnosis. It will be a trying and difficult journey, but Chris is positive and has a great mindset to kick cancer's ass. We all know when Chris sets his mind to something he goes full force, and this is no different. He is ready to FIGHT! He has so many friends and his family by his side that will stand by and support him through whatever he needs as he fights this battle.

Chris's fiancé, Ali Filippello, has been by his side through every step of this journey and has kept him positive and strong. They have two amazing children together Tristan and Taylor. Tristan is 7 and in first grade. He is a very active and talented sports player as expected from a son of Chris’s. Taylor is almost 3 and a very active and playful little princess. Chris is one of the best dad’s I know and is extremely involved with his kids. He coaches baseball for East Side Little League and is as passionate of a coach as he was as a player. You won’t find a day Chris is not outside having a baseball catch with Tristan or running around the house being silly with Taylor. Chris is currently teaching himself how to throw left- handed so he can continue to be involved in Tristan’s love for baseball.

As anyone who has experienced unexpected hardships and/or health concerns personally or has been impacted by those you love you know how hard this is on the individual and family emotionally, physically, mentally and financially. This will put overwhelming worry and strain on Chris and his family. Through this page we would like to show Chris how loved and supported he is and take away any burdens we can during this time. We want Chris and Ali to focus on getting him well, spending time together and take their mind off of any concerns we can during this difficult time. Chris has an amazing group of people from all over that will love and support him; please send your love and positive thoughts often to him so he can be empowered every day to fight and stay strong. We know everyone feels frozen and not sure what to do but wants so badly to do something. Let’s get started with lessening the financial worry. We can help support the everyday expenses when Chris is unable to work as well as any medical bills that may get out of control due the fast pace of treatment through this page. If you would like to donate and/or support the family please donate through this link. As he moves through treatments, we will post updates and let you know if there are other things they may need. At this time, we are taking things day by day. We will be sure to keep everyone updated so that those that love him can be there to continue to fight with him through love, support, and positivity.