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John Mazzone Fundraiser
May 7th, 2003
Frankie and Johnnie’s Pine Caterering Hall, Bronx, NY
 John Mazzone has been a dedicated member of the Glaziers Local Union 1281 for 18 years. The GLU was know as 1087 when John joined the union while working at Church Avenue Glass in Brooklyn, NY. Later worked for Citi glass, located in Staten Island and Neversink Construction, where he stayed until the opportunity to better serve his Union and became an Organizer for District Council 9. In the spring of 2002 John felt the need to get
 back to the construction end of the business and went back to work for Neversink Construction, the best shop one could hope to work for. John has lived in two places his entire life, born and raised in Brooklyn and built a life in Cornwall, NY. John met his wife, Adrienne Madden in 1989 in lower Manhattan at a bar called Alcatraz-the place to escape to. They married in 1990, built a contemporary home that John designed and built and had a son, Jake, all in the same year. Two years later they had a daughter, Sirena. Now 9 and 12, both children have a career in acting and modeling. Both children sport many of their father's great qualities.
John has been a very healthy man and hard working his entire life. In fact since he joined the union and prior to his current illness, due to colds--he only missed approximately two weeks of work. When not working, John has always been active in creating stained glass art, riding his motorcycle and being a very actively involved father to his two children.
Active in his community John was president of the Road Association for many years, always volunteering with sports events-umpire (talk about pressure!), wiring classrooms for computers, preserving farms from developers as well as donating to many fundraising events for many illnesses. The day after Christmas, December 26, 2002, John first felt the uneasiness in his abdomen area. Because he's also been so healthy, he never thought that this uneasiness was the beginning of a journey to battle and conquer cancer. Duodenal Cancer, a rare cancer. So rare that one of the largest cancer treatment centers, Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer Center in New York City only treats approximately 5-10 patients a year with this type. On February 6, 2003-John's 42nd birthday, the biopsy that proved malignant was preformed.
John and his family were completed taken by surprise by the prognosis. John began his Chemotherapy treatment on March 10, 2003 with two very aggressive medications, Cisplatin and CPT-11. Other than the tiredness and nausea feelings, John has been handling everything rather well. His mental attitude being so positive has been a key ingredient during the entire process. Every time he heads into the Chemotherapy Suite, he's got a different joke for the nurses. Family, friends, acquaintances, neighbors and even people he hardly met before have been calling, writing and visiting. The support has been so tremendous-John is one of eight children of a very loving family. Each and every family member has played an extremely important role in John's journey. I had the pleasure of interviewing John Mazzone, some of his friends, family members, and workers, who came out to support him with this cause, and raise the funds needed to cover his medical expenses.
LN Were you were ever ill prior to having been diagnosed with Duodenal Cancer?
JM: I have never been ill in my whole life, other than having a minor cold every once in a while.
LNnbsp; Are you still working? If so, how often?
JM: No, I am not working, since my doctor told me to get plenty of rest, eat well (no specific diet), and maintain my weight.
LN: What are your goals now, since you were diagnosed with this disease?
JM: Tonight is a goal I accomplished--just being here with the family members, friends, and co-workers. I want to keep pursuing my dreams and I just recently got my motorcycle repaired, and I’m ready to do plenty of riding [smiling]. I spent valuable time with my wife, two kids, and family members.
LN:: Have you spoken at different forums, or to people who have Duodenal Cancer like yourself?
JM:: I have not spoken at any forums as of yet, but I have spoken to other people, from as far as Massechussetts, Ohio and Colorodo, who have also been afflicted. Over 3,000 new cases of Duodenal Cancer are diagnosed each year, so I want to reach out and share my experience with others who are also suffering from this disease.
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LN:: Do you have any medical coverage?
JM:: Yes, I do have medical coverage, which cover me through 2005, but I have high co-payment to meet at every doctor’s visit, which is why I need help with my expenses.
LN:: Is there anything else you would like to add?
JM:: Keep positive in life, and keep aware of different opened and closed opportunities. The cancer is of the stomach, which metastesizes to the intestines, and then spreads through the lymph system.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Michael Carriere, the representative for Painter’s and Allied Trades for the International Union. D.C. 9. His words were “John Mazzone is like a brother to me, and Adriana is like a sister.” I wanted to do this as a well as his friends and co-workers, because there was a need. Plus, we like to take care of our union members when they are in need of our help. That’s what we are about--we are like one big family .
The next person I met was John’s mother, Ms. Maria Mazzone, who was a very positive woman, who told me that John’s three other brothers and four sisters are all here to support this cause. We believe he will be able to beat this disease. He has been a “very good kid”, as well as a good role model for his other brothers and sisters.
The next person I met was Mr. Thomas Madden, the father-in-law of John Mazzone, who, along with his wife, made a special trip from Florida in order to be with John. As John made a speech, Mr. Madden had tears rolling down his eyes. It touched him very deeply. At this time, as I saw the tears, I went over and put my hand on his back and patted him lightly, offering him words of comfort and encouragement. I could see in his tears what was going through his mind. The fundraiser was a huge success, and the H.A.D. Organization has extended an invitation to John to have him come and speak at our annual All-Star Fashion & Entertainment Charity Fundraiser Show 2003 about in the forum about his illness. We want to wish John and all of his family the best. We believe he can overcome this illness.
A support group for Duodenal Cancer patients and survivors is now underway due to John and his wife Adrienne, a web designer for The TransMedia Group (http://www.transmediagroup.com/). John located three survivors of Duodenal Cancer that are joining efforts and now anyone out there seeking someone going thru the same cancer can now get in touch by writing Jmazzone@duodenalcancer.com and keeping up-to-date on John Mazzone's cancer by visiting www.duodenalcancer.com. John wants everyone to know that, "you're not alone."
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Abbey H. Muneer is the Executive Director of H.A.D. Organization of New York City, Inc., a world-famous athlete, author and, above all, a humanitarian. Abbey will write articles about charity events, benefits, fundraisers and galas which are raising money for humantiarian causes. If you are interested in having Abbey and one his staff members cover one of your charity events, benefits, fundraisers or galas, feel free to notify us one week in advance, at LNEvents@hadofnyc.org, or telephone us at (718) 507-7616, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm e.s.t. and ask to speak to Abbey or Maria. If you would like more information, or would like to have Liberty News Online Magazine consult your next charitable event, please feel free to visit our website, at http://www.hadofnyc.org/store/success.html, email us at humanitarians@hadofnyc.org, or telephone our hotline, at (718) 507-7616, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm e.s.t. (U.S.A.) |
