As many of you know, and for those who don’t, our dad, Fran, was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Cancer (NETs) in November of 2019. It was one of the scariest and most life-changing days for our family. Hearing the word “cancer” come from our parents' mouths was something we never imagined. You always think, “That won’t happen to us.” But suddenly, it did.
And not just any cancer, a rare cancer. That word made an already terrifying diagnosis feel even more overwhelming. In the face of uncertainty, our thoughts shifted to a new question: Do we have options?
Our dad, lovingly known as Fran the Man, is the rock of our family. The Patriarch. A true “girl dad.” From the moment of his diagnosis, he faced it with grace, grit, and a determination that continues to inspire everyone around him. He made huge life changes, cold turkey quitting alcohol, focusing on his health, and committing to a lifestyle that would give him the best shot at a long, fulfilling life.
He did it for us, for Elizabeth and me, and for his lifelong love, our mom Meg. Every decision he made reflected his love for his family and his strength as a father and husband.
Then, just a few months later, the pandemic hit.
It was already a scary time in the world, but for someone immunocompromised, it was especially frightening. Not being able to hug or kiss our dad, to share space with him safely, it was heartbreaking. But through all the challenges, we found ways to stay connected. And now that we’re able to hug, laugh, and gather again, we don’t take a single moment for granted.
Neuroendocrine cancer is rare and difficult to detect. Because of its nature, traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation often aren’t options. That’s why awareness, advocacy, and research matter so much in this fight.
So, what do we want? We want to talk about NETs.
We want people to know what it is, how it affects families, and how they can help.
We want to show up for the man who has shown up for everyone else his entire life.
Fran is the kindest, most humble, and sweetest man we know. He has this rare ability to make you feel like you're the only person in the world when he's talking to you. He’s our hero, and it’s time to rally around him.
