HELMETSTRONG

Please help our friend, Carl Ferretti, beat cancer!

After a dismal, self-administered haircut during freshman year at Phoenixville Area High School, Carl Ferretti received a nickname that has stuck with him ever since: Helmet.

Helmet...oops, Carl, had a very active childhood in the Phoenixville community. In his early years he ran up and down the PMYC soccer and football fields to burn off his extra energy. He continued to play traditional sports and participated on the baseball field at both PECO and Babe Ruth. As he grew older, he and his BMX bike would travel to Bensalem to rack up trophies at the dirt racetrack. Perhaps all the energy came from the amount of sugar his Nana used in his iced tea.

Carl attended Phoenixville Area High School where he lettered in football and track for the Phantoms. After graduating from PAHS in 2006, Carl pursued a Business degree from Kutztown University, which he earned in 2010.

Carl has always been a rare, outgoing, and loveable character--truly one of a kind. Always quick to crack a joke, his fun-loving personality has provided countless laughs over the years. Even when the fun is being poked at you, it's always just that with him: fun.

Carl has always been there to lend a hand and support his friends and family in any way he can (countless debit card transactions have been made just to ensure that everyone is having fun and is well fed after a night out on the town). There really never is a dull moment with him.

Now Carl needs all of our help.

On September 25, 2013, Carl was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer: adrenocortical carcinoma (stage IV adrenal cancer).

Through early scans, Carl's doctors identified a tumor on his adrenal gland which we now know has spread to his lymph nodes as well as his spine. Fearing possible paralysis due to the location of the spinal tumor, his doctors immediately began radiation treatment on his spine in an attempt to reduce the size of the mass and prevent any further damage. Carl has completed his initial round of radiation and is beginning his chemotherapy this week (10/1/13). Both of which will be part of his longer-term aggressive treatment program.

As with any illness of this nature, Carl and his family face a daunting set of medical bills, travel costs, and unexpected daily life expenses (Carl has been unable to return to work at Prudential and is uncertain of when he will be able to again).

What is certain is that Carl has quite the fight in front of him and, always the fearless one, he will stand up to it. It is up to all of us to stand behind him, support him, and fight with him as he begins this chapter of his life.

We ask that you please donate whatever you can to this cause -- no amount is too small.

I know with everyone's support we can help Carl and his family greatly in this time of need. Even though Carl has a battle in front of him, he has a hell of an army behind him.

Thank you for your generosity and for helping us help our friend.

- Team HELMETSTRONG