Cancer Caring Center Important to Pine Man

It’s news that no one wants to receive. When you are a young adult, learning that you have cancer may be even harder to take.

Mike Fitzgerald was 25 when he learned he had Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Although he had excellent doctors, he felt that he needed additional support. The Cancer Caring Center in Pittsburgh's Bloomfield neighborhood fit the bill.

“I joined a support group for young adults dealing with cancer,” he said. “It really helped me cope with the disease.”

Fitzgerald beat the disease and, 20 years later, is considered to be cancer-free.

And 20 years later, he is still with the Cancer Caring Center, now serving on its board.

“I started doing presentations about my disease and being a survivor,” he said, “Then they asked me to serve on the board in 1995. I was happy to do so.

Fitzgerald is president of  in Pine Township, which specializes in adventure and educational travel trips. He discovered his cancer while entertaining.

“We had a fellow over here from Russia and we were out for dinner, shooting pool and just having fun. But then on the way home, I noticed an inflammation on my neck,” he said.

His neck was still bothering him the next day, so he consulted his doctor. A few days later, the Pine resident was referred for more testing.

“I knew when he told me that I needed a biopsy that it probably wasn’t a good thing,” he said.

 It wasn’t.

"On my 25th birthday, I learned I had cancer,” he said. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and his treatment, along with the Cancer Caring Center's support group sessions, began.

“The young-adult support group was great. At any given time, there was someone at every stage of their diagnosis, so there was someone like you. We all knew what everyone else was going through.”

The Cancer Caring Center provides a variety of support and educational services to those diagnosed with cancer, their families and others who make up their support systems, according to Robin Beruh, the center's assistant director.

“We have the support groups in 18 locations, professional counseling, programming for children including pet therapy and other educational programming,” she said.  

The center, a nonprofit organization, depends on donations and fundraising events for funding. 

Jeans, Jazz and Jewels, to be held Wednesday, is one of its major events and a unique twist on a glamorous night out.

“Everyone always sighs when they have to go home and dress up to go to a fancy event,” said Beruh. “But with this one, you can just wear your jeans, go and have a great time and relax.”

Jeans, Jazz and Jewels features food, entertainment and unusual jewelry at the Mount Washington home of Steve Herforth and Peter Karlovich, who frequently offer their unique, 10,400-square-foot home for philathropic gatherings.

“People love coming to this home because it is such a beautiful and unique home. It is really one of the most unusual homes in Pittsburgh, probably in the state,” said Fitzgerald. “It is just a fun night to see a beautiful home, enjoy great food and wine, and if you want, buy some unusual jewelry.”

The event has raised more than $125,000 for the center in the last six years.

“We are so grateful for this event. We depend on these donations so that we can continue to provide our free services,” said Beruh.

For cancer survivors like Fitzgerald, the services of the center are invaluable in their battles against cancer.  

“I say survivors because I think that as soon as you hear the diagnosis you are surviving with the disease,” he said. “The center helps you realize that you don’t have to go through it alone.”

For the services of the Cancer Caring Center, call 412-622-1212 or visit www.cancercaring.org. Jeans, Jazz and Jewels will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesdau at 207 Bailey Ave., Mount Washington. Tickets are available for $75 each.