Update

On August 4, 2025 , Gary  celebrated his 87 th birthday. We continue to look forward to more milestones attending graduations, birthdays, school activities, family vacations, and for Gary, golf.  

We appreciate the support we have received from team members at MSK. Gary lives by the motto never give up. It’s our mission to help others benefit from the research as we have. So in honor of our wonderful life together and in celebration of our special moments we ask friends and family to donate to this research in lieu of gifts.

Grateful and Blessed,

Cynthia and Gary

Honoring Gary

This page was created to raise funds for the cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.  Many of you know, Gary fought Melanoma of the Soft Tissue for well over a year. 

Gary received treatment for Melanoma October 9, 2012. This therapy, "Yervoy" was approved by FDA in 2011. It is an IV treatment that takes two hours, every three weeks for four treatments. The fourth treatment impacted Gary's pituitary gland which was easily corrected with hydrocortisone.

MK3475 Therapy Jan. 2013-2MK3475 Therapy

Gary began the two year experimental study, with Merck and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The immune therapy, MK 3475, began on February 18, 2013.  It was a half hour IV therapy given through his port every three weeks. He developed a light rash on his chest and parts of his arms. It never itched and disappeared within a week.

Within the first three months, Gary’s three lung nodules were shrunk 86%. By the second CT scan, the nodules were gone. 

We were happy to announce that the FDA approved MK 3475, now known as Keytruda, in September 2014. This was certainly good news for all.

Gary was one of the few individuals to complete the two year study. Some patients left after first clear CT scans. Gary felt it was important to honor the commitment he made in participating in the research study. He experienced no real side affects, so this made his decision easy.

Protocol is now a CT scan every three months, followed by blood work and a follow-up appointment with Gary’s Oncologist. Needless to say, every three months verses every three weeks opens up our calendar. However, the travel to and from New York was a small price to pay for a cancer free status.

We are enjoying our time with family and friends. Thank you for all the prayers and good wishes.

If you want to donate for any occasion or celebration, please click on our website where it says, “ Make A Donation”. It’s located under our photo. No amount is too small. All gifts are appreciated.

This is the only way that your gift goes toward the Melanoma research in honor of Gary. 

Thank you.

God bless! Keep those prayers coming; they work.

Cynthia and Gary