My father, Joseph, was my best friend. From exploring New York City on weekends to making a 4th of July tradition out of watching the fireworks along the FDR Drive, he showed me how to turn simple moments into lifelong memories.
Everything changed on 4th of July in 2008. During lunch, he suddenly couldn’t swallow. For years, doctors had dismissed his heartburn and acid reflux, prescribing antacids without investigating further. This time, we demanded a referral to a specialist. The endoscopy revealed a terrifying diagnosis: Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer (EC).
What followed was a brutal race against the clock, traumatizing rounds of radiation, chemo, a chemo-port insertion, and a brief remission in 2009 before the cancer returned. By the summer of 2010, after exhausting options that offered little hope or quality of life, my father entered hospice. He passed away on October 16, 2010.
In the years following his death, I struggled with frustration toward a medical system that repeatedly brushed off chronic digestive issues rather than recommending early screenings. When I eventually connected with EC awareness groups, I realized countess families shared our exact story: caught too late, given little information, and left without hope.
To honor my father’s legacy, I launched a 5K run/walk in 2019 in Southeast Brooklyn, the only event of its kind in the area where he was born and spent his final days. Over the years, we brought families together to remember loved ones, stomp out myths, and demand change. After hosting our final run this September 2026, my commitment to this cause remains as strong as ever.
We must continue pushing for early detection, mandated screenings, better treatment options, and patient self-advocacy. Together, we can STOMP OUT EC and change the narrative for families everywhere.
Gratefully,
Dara