President’s Message

We proudly marked the founding of the Esophageal Cancer Education Foundation (ECEF) in 2002, just two years after I underwent my esophagectomy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. We are deeply grateful to God for the time we’ve been given—and for the opportunity to support patients and caregivers as they navigate the challenges of this difficult disease.

As we look to the future, we’re taking meaningful steps to grow ECEF and strengthen our mission. We’ve expanded our Medical Advisory Committee, welcoming more doctors and medical professionals to join. Together, we’re committed to advancing patient education, support, and awareness in the years ahead. You can see the Doctors who are participating in the medical advisory committee by going to https://fightec.org/ecef-structure/medical-advisory-committee/

SUPPORT GROUPS

In addition, because our Conference call Support Group participation has grown, we now have three virtual (Zoom) monthly support groups for patients who have gone through an esophagectomy and their caregivers. We have two Thoracic Surgeons attending each of our post-surgery meetings  

We have also established a virtual (Zoom) monthly meeting for Esophageal and Stomach Cancer Stage IV and recurrence patients and their caregivers. We have two Medical Oncologists attending each of these meetings. 

Any information that is discussed at these meetings must be cleared with the patients doctors before they take any action using what they have heard. 

YOUTUBE CHANNEL

We will continue to develop our You Tube Channel and have placed 19 videos on it: https://www.youtube.com/@fightec

HOTLINE

Our esophageal cancer hotline is available at 732-446-8520. We are collaborating with members of the General Thoracic Surgical Club to provide the Esophageal Cancer Education Foundation (ECEF) with surgeon contact information. This collaboration allows us to refer U.S. callers to qualified surgeons in their local area. We’ve already made numerous referrals and will continue offering this important service.

BOOK

The Esophageal Cancer Education Foundation (ECEF) has published Esophagectomy Post Surgical Guide Q&A, Second Edition, a book that answers the most commonly asked questions about the post-surgical experience. It is available through local bookstores or by visiting the Post Surgical Guide page on this website. Many hospitals have purchased the book in bulk to provide it to patients as they leave the hospital post-surgery.

Ginny and I hope, with God’s help, we can make a difference in a patient’s life by the various items we have spoken about in this message.

Respectfully Submitted

Bart Frazzitta

President