Caring for Carcinoid Foundation - About Nancy O'Hagan

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About Nancy O’Hagan

A few days before my first wedding anniversary, at age 29, I collapsed on the subway in Boston. I was taken to the emergency room at Massachusetts General Hospital. There, I was diagnosed with extensive liver tumors that displace the majority of my liver, as well as with innumerable bony tumors. The doctors were grim and gave me a few months to live.

For years, I had experienced tremendous fatigue and abdominal pain and, eventually, intense flushing. My doctors always told me these symptoms resulted from the stress of working long hours as a tax attorney. In fact, these symptoms were caused by carcinoid cancer and its metastatic effects known as Carcinoid Syndrome. My diagnosis was confirmed several weeks later by a liver biopsy.

Carcinoid is a deadly neuroendocrine cancer. I am thankful to be alive, but I am greatly disappointed there is no cure. Chemotherapy is typically ineffective for this cancer. Like other carcinoid patients, I receive regular shots of Sandostatin® and intravenous infusions of Aredia®. I have undergone two hepatic artery embolizations to contain my liver metastases. I have also participated in two clinical trials—one using a radioisotope called Yttrium-90, and the other using an anti-angiogenesis drug called Endostatin®. None of these treatments resulted in tumor regression.

I founded the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation to support leading scientists whose research will lead to a cure for carcinoid. I know the lonely feeling of fighting an incurable cancer that receives little governmental research funding and little pharmaceutical company interest. I also know that greater insight into carcinoid cancer will result in greater insight into other cancers such as neuroendocrine, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and prostate.

The Caring for Carcinoid Foundation is unique in its focus on research. We pursue a clearly defined, 3-step research road map based on guidance from our Board of Scientific Advisors. The scientists we support are already making progress. However, we urgently need your help to expedite and expand the research. Carcinoid patients struggle and die every day because no cure exists.

Please join us in this fight. 100% of all donations directly support carcinoid cancer research and are tax-deductible. Together, we will achieve our mission. Thank you for your dedication and generosity.

Warmest regards,

Nancy O’Hagan
Founder and President
Caring for Carcinoid Foundation

Learn more about Nancy:

Visit Nancy's blog

Nancy selected to join NCI Gastrointestinal Cancer Steering Committee

Nancy wins "40 Under 40" award from Boston Business Journal

Nancy O'Hagan received the "40 Under 40" award from Boston Business Journal. This award honors 40 outstanding professionals under the age of 40 for their business success and community contributions.