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Gregorio provides help to brain cancer patients

November 10, 2009

By Administrator

By Christopher Huber
For years, Teresa Gregorio was on the go. The Sammamish resident spent much of her life building a career as a corporate manager and executive. She moved from the Seattle area to Virginia for work. And for hours each day, for about eight years, she used her cell phone to do business, talk with friends and family and maintained a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend.
Gregorio had a good life, she said. She made enough money and was known by her peers as the “git-er-done girl,” for her avid multitasking abilities.
But in early 2008, in just her second day at a new job, Gregorio had a headache that wouldn’t go away. It turned into a series of seizures that afflicted her on the way to the hospital.
On Valentine’s Day 2008, Gregorio, then 43, was diagnosed with a fast-growing type of cancerous brain tumor — Oligodendroglioma. It was on the side of her head she holds her cell phone to. She was given five years to live.
“I didn’t really have any signs,” she said. “One day you’re fine, you’re managing an office. The next you’re faced with all that.”
After moving back to Sammamish — close to medical treatment, family and support group — Gregorio had to face the realities of being unemployed, unable to drive herself to appointments and the emotional and physical battle against brain cancer.
“A brain cancer diagnosis is like a giant wrecking ball coming through your living room,” said Dellann Elliott, president and CEO of the Sammamish-based Chris Elliott Fund for Glioblastoma Brain Cancer Research. “It changes everything forever.”
Gregorio could have wallowed in her sorrows and given in to depression.
Instead, she decided to form the Gregorio Foundation, a new Sammamish-based nonprofit organization focused on providing brain cancer patients with small financial grants to help with everyday expenses.
Most brain cancer patients are almost completely incapacitated while receiving chemotherapy or radiation, said Gregorio and Greg Andrews, the organization’s treasurer and CFO.
It leaves them unable to do everyday tasks, like drive themselves to treatment or go grocery shopping.
“It was very clear when she first brought it up that this was a big need,” said Andrews, who works at the University of Washington Medical Center.
He said he wanted to help because he could see the foundation filling an important area of need among brain cancer patients.
“There just isn’t any easy way to help the patients,” he said. “That made it a pretty easy decision.”
The Gregorio Foundation will be holding its first major fundraising event 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., Nov. 12 at Alexandria Nicole Cellars, 19501 144th Ave N.E., in Woodinville.
Tickets for the silent auction, food and wine event are $30 per person. Items include holiday gift baskets, decorations and other items.
The proceeds will help the foundation grant its first $500 to a brain cancer patient.
Elliott seemed inspired and amazed when she found out about Gregorio starting the foundation in the midst of coping with treatment and financial instability.
“I totally find that remarkable. Where her strength is, is her desire to help other people,” Elliott said.
Although she’s not sure how much longer she has, and despite the daily struggles, Gregorio said she tries to appreciate the little things in life.
The diagnosis was a blow to her stable and exciting life but she seemingly has made the best of the circumstances.
“Your life changes but it doesn’t come to an end,” she said.
Gregorio said she hopes many brain cancer patients will have a little more hope because of the grants and resources provided by her foundation.
Forming the organization was difficult, she said, but she wants to know she did something to help people in similar circumstances.
“I also believe this is one of her ways — by focusing that energy — of fighting back,” Elliott said.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.

For years, Teresa Gregorio was on the go. The Sammamish resident spent much of her life building a career as a corporate manager and executive. She moved from the Seattle area to Virginia for work. And for hours each day, for about eight years, she used her cell phone to do business, talk with friends and family and maintained a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend.

Gregorio had a good life, she said. She made enough money and was known by her peers as the “git-er-done girl,” for her avid multitasking abilities.

Teresa Gregorio, left, embraces her sister, Laura Misensol, after the 2009 Seattle Brain Cancer Walk. Photo contributed

Teresa Gregorio, left, embraces her sister, Laura Misensol, after the 2009 Seattle Brain Cancer Walk. Photo contributed

But in early 2008, in just her second day at a new job, Gregorio had a headache that wouldn’t go away. It turned into a series of seizures that afflicted her on the way to the hospital.

On Valentine’s Day 2008, Gregorio, then 43, was diagnosed with a fast-growing type of cancerous brain tumor — Oligodendroglioma. It was on the side of her head she holds her cell phone to. She was given five years to live.

“I didn’t really have any signs,” she said. “One day you’re fine, you’re managing an office. The next you’re faced with all that.”

After moving back to Sammamish — close to medical treatment, family and support group — Gregorio had to face the realities of being unemployed, unable to drive herself to appointments and the emotional and physical battle against brain cancer.

“A brain cancer diagnosis is like a giant wrecking ball coming through your living room,” said Dellann Elliott, president and CEO of the Sammamish-based Chris Elliott Fund for Glioblastoma Brain Cancer Research. “It changes everything forever.”

Gregorio could have wallowed in her sorrows and given in to depression.

Instead, she decided to form the Gregorio Foundation, a new Sammamish-based nonprofit organization focused on providing brain cancer patients with small financial grants to help with everyday expenses.

Most brain cancer patients are almost completely incapacitated while receiving chemotherapy or radiation, said Gregorio and Greg Andrews, the organization’s treasurer and CFO.

It leaves them unable to do everyday tasks, like drive themselves to treatment or go grocery shopping.

“It was very clear when she first brought it up that this was a big need,” said Andrews, who works at the University of Washington Medical Center.

He said he wanted to help because he could see the foundation filling an important area of need among brain cancer patients.

“There just isn’t any easy way to help the patients,” he said. “That made it a pretty easy decision.”

The Gregorio Foundation will be holding its first major fundraising event 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., Nov. 12 at Alexandria Nicole Cellars, 19501 144th Ave N.E., in Woodinville.

Tickets for the silent auction, food and wine event are $30 per person. Items include holiday gift baskets, decorations and other items.

The proceeds will help the foundation grant its first $500 to a brain cancer patient.

Elliott seemed inspired and amazed when she found out about Gregorio starting the foundation in the midst of coping with treatment and financial instability.

“I totally find that remarkable. Where her strength is, is her desire to help other people,” Elliott said.

Although she’s not sure how much longer she has, and despite the daily struggles, Gregorio said she tries to appreciate the little things in life.

The diagnosis was a blow to her stable and exciting life but she seemingly has made the best of the circumstances.

“Your life changes but it doesn’t come to an end,” she said.

Gregorio said she hopes many brain cancer patients will have a little more hope because of the grants and resources provided by her foundation.

Forming the organization was difficult, she said, but she wants to know she did something to help people in similar circumstances.

“I also believe this is one of her ways — by focusing that energy — of fighting back,” Elliott said.

Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.

Written by Administrator · Filed Under Local News 

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