SEAFORD, NY — An inaugural fundraising walk is scheduled for next month in Seaford in honor of a North Massapequa man who died from a rare form of cancer.
The Andrew C. DeMarco Foundation was started last year to raise money and awareness.
DeMarco battled angiosarcoma for 30 months before dying in 2021 at age 37. It’s an extremely rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the blood vessels.
Find out what's happening in Wantagh-Seafordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
He got married in 2019 and during his honeymoon, DeMarco had chest pains that became a red flag.
A walk will take place at Cedar Creek Park on April 23. Donations are $20 for the walk and $40 with a foundation tee shirt.
Find out what's happening in Wantagh-Seafordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
But the foundation is doing more.
“We are presently working to raise money to fund a Memorial Sloan Kettering research lab that is specifically working to develop any type of cure or early detection for angiosarcoma cancers,” Grace Colasacco, one of the foundation board members, told Patch.
She said the prognosis for the disease is poor.
The foundation is also working with DeMarco’s alma mater Plainedge High School.
“This is the first year we are actually giving away scholarships to students who are going into the medical field,” Colasacco said.
They are hoping to expand the fundraising efforts in 2024.
Colasacco was close friends with Demarco, who went to school with her husband.
“We’re trying to do God’s work and help where we can,” Colasacco said.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
Click Here: Nigeria soccer tracksuit