“It’s not about weathering the storm, it’s about dancing in the rain.”

Franco Cerminara wants everyone to know……”Live life to the fullest because you never know what life can throw at you.”

On January 22, 2015 my wife was diagnosed with leukemia. As you can imagine our life was turned up side down. We were very scared and did not know what to expect. Thank God we had tons of support from family and friends. The main reason to fight was for, our then 3 year old, Isabella. Four months later, after chemo and radiation was completed, Wendi was blessed with a perfect bone marrow match. Nine months later, I was diagnosed with sarcoma.

I could not believe it when I heard I also have cancer. The first thing that went through my mind was that I hope my wife and myself will be here for our Isabella. Franco Cerminara was diagnosed with Stage III Myxioid Round Cell Liposarcoma in October of 2015. He was treated at Penn Medicine by Dr. Staddon.

Soon after my diagnosis I began my fight. It was not easy. I had to have chemo, radiation and surgery. I never gave up, I had a BIG reason to fight…. my wife and daughter needed me to. Thank God everything went very well. On May 31, 2018 I was 2 years cancer free. My wife, Wendi, was 3 years cancer free on May 22, 2018. So as I said in the beginning….. Live life to the fullest because you never know what life will throw at you.

Frank went to Horsham High School and is employed by the Philadelphia Carpenters Union. He enjoys riding bikes, skiing and traveling. His motto is “It’s not about weathering the storm, it’s about dancing in the rain.”
 


Ryan K.

Ryan K.

Sarcoma Survivor / Read Story

“The opportunity to volunteer at CHOP will also be a healing experience for me too, to show others that there is life after cancer.”

Lou P.

Lou P.

Sarcoma Survivor / Read Story

“Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center has been taking care of me for almost two decades. My care team has given me a quality of life that I never dreamed possible.”

Paulette W.

Paulette W.

Sarcoma Survivor / Read Story

“Dr. Weber has been a blessing to us over and over again. She saved my life.”

Arianne M.

Arianne M.

Sarcoma Survivor / Read Story

“I’ve always been a fighter, and with Penn by my side I overcame the biggest obstacle in my life.”

Megan D.

Megan D.

Sarcoma Survivor / Read Story

“A positive attitude goes an incredibly long way. I was diagnosed with a one in a million cancer, but now I am one more survivor.”

Frank C.

Frank C.

Sarcoma Survivor / Read Story

“Live life to the fullest because you never know what life can throw at you.”

Tracey F.

Tracey F.

Sarcoma Survivor / Read Story

“I felt so supported and so taken care of from the second I walked into Penn, and by every person in my life, from my family to my friends to my employees.”

Lindasy H.

Lindasy H.

Sarcoma Survivor / Read Story

"To be part of Steps to Cure Sarcoma that connects people who are affected by sarcoma and directly raises funds for research to fight the disease is incredible.”