Philip's Fight for His Dream

Philip’s Fight for His Dream

Hello Friends. My name is Anita and I am the proud aunt of Philip DiBlasi, Jr. My sweet, humble, kind, nephew, Philip, has been diagnosed with cancer, specifically, medulloblastoma, a type of cancer most commonly found in the cerebellum, the part of the brain located at the back of the skull. The tumor in his brain has been removed but he has a long journey to recovery ahead. I am raising funds to help my sister, Tina, and my brother-in-law, Phil, pay for medical bills that a cancer diagnosis generates so that they can concentrate fully on Philip’s healthy recovery and on taking care of their family.

After weeks in a rehab facility where Philip is undergoing intense physical and occupational therapy, Philip will begin radiation followed by chemotherapy and months of additional physical and occupational therapy. The funds will help pay for what medical insurance does not, from surgery and the hospital stay, to medications and tests to the last days of chemo. It is going to be a long journey to recovery and believe me, we are counting down the days! We look forward to Philip’s return to Northeastern, to his Huskies baseball uniform and to the pursuit of his dream of becoming a professional baseball player.

Philip was practically born with a baseball in hand. He was hitting baseballs, catching baseballs, throwing baseballs as soon as he could walk. Baseball talk dominated breakfast, lunch and dinner, especially during Red Sox-Yankees games! Baseball was life and life was baseball. He tried playing with and coaching his younger brother, Thomas, but Philip’s pitches were too powerful for the younger baseball player. Philip’s dream has always been to become a professional baseball player. He shuffled his parents to baseball practices, games, tournaments year-round, wherever they were held. Tina, Phil and young Thomas never complained because they loved watching Philip play. Thomas wants to be just like his big brother when he grows up. Philip’s parents have sacrificed everything for their little boy’s dream. Philip’s commute from Derry, NH to St. John’s School in the North End of Boston and later to Boston College High School never discouraged him. He napped in the car, snacked in the car, and did his homework to/from school in the car or on the bus carrying the BC High Varsity team to games. He was committed to his dream and to nurturing his gift. His coaches saw something in Philip. He had talent! He had an innate God-given baseball talent that his coaches recognized. As a high school sophomore, he was scouted and received a baseball scholarship to Northeastern University while winning baseball awards and accolades along the way. His talent, hard work and resilience had paid off. A big part of Philip’s dream had come true, until he was dealt a major setback.

Philip had just begun his freshman year and a promising college baseball career at Northeastern University when the unthinkable and a parent’s worst nightmare began. It all started with a phone call. Philip had to undergo emergency surgery to remove the cancerous tumor. We are still in shock! It’s as if time has stood still. We have shed many tears, have shared endless hugs and have prayed….a lot! Philip is constantly on our minds as he continues his fight to strengthen his body and mind for what’s ahead. We continue to pray and are confident in the doctor’s optimistic prognosis. Philip is surrounded by his loving and supportive family and an amazing network of friends and mentors from his not-so-olden days at BC High to his new days at Northeastern as well as by teddy bears, cards, baseball paraphernalia and of course cookies…lots of cookies especially his favorite, Double Stuffed Oreos. Philip has an amazing attitude, zest for life and drive to continue to pursue his dream of one day donning the much-coveted professional baseball uniform. He has an excellent team of doctors from Mass General who are confident that Philip will recover. Tina has lovingly referred to Philip as her “hero”. Please help our hero in this, the fight of his life. Please pray for Philip and his family! Thank you and God bless!