April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month

What starts as a burning pain in the chest quickly erupts into a fire in your throat. You’re left with a bitter, acidic taste in your mouth. Nothing can squelch the heartburn that is oozing like lava in your esophagus. You clutch your chest and think to yourself, “What did I eat that caused this?” and then you remember that it doesn’t matter what you’ve eaten anymore. Almost everything causes heartburn now.

Heartburn is one of the most common symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Also known as reflux disease, GERD, can trigger the cells lining the esophagus to change causing Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer.

Esophageal Cancer Awareness
The month of April is dedicated to raising awareness of esophageal cancer; a cancer that is considered one of the fastest growing and deadliest cancers in the United States and western world., according to the National Cancer Institute. Esophageal cancer has increased over 733% increase in the past four decades.

The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Rhode Island, has worked with supporters across the globe to raise awareness, encourage early detection and to fund research of esophageal cancer. This year, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is working even harder as many individuals diagnosed with esophageal cancer face advanced prognosis, limited treatment options and a dismal survival rate. To support their mission with a donation, click here.

Esophageal Cancer: Early Detection
President of The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, Linda Molfesi, said, “my father suffered from chronic heartburn for years and was never warned by doctors of the possible risks. We found out too late, once he started having difficulty swallowing, that his chronic reflux had led to esophageal cancer.” Molfesi continued, “My father passed away a little over a year after he was diagnosed and it was, and still is, devastating.”

Esophageal Cancer: Research
In memory and in honor of all who have been impacted by this dreadful disease, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation awarded esophageal cancer research funding for the first time in 2015. In 2018, the charity once again awarded funding. This research, which is currently underway, is headed by Dr. Donald Low, a specialist in esophageal and thoracic surgery at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle and is aimed at determining the accuracy of a breath test for detecting esophageal cancer.
In November 2022, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation opened their Grant Program for the third time and plan to award funding in 2023.

Fast facts about esophageal cancer:

• One in five Americans have acid reflux disease, which is a primary risk factor for esophageal cancer.
• Chronic heartburn and indigestion are common symptoms that many are unaware could lead to cancer.
• Warning symptoms often arise late once the cancer has spread.
• There are no routine or standard screenings to detect esophageal cancer in earlier stages.
• Esophageal cancer is very aggressive and can spread to lymph nodes and other organs rapidly.
• Patients diagnosed with late-stage esophageal cancer face a survival rate of only 5.7%.
• Esophageal cancer has a 5-year survival rate of only 20.6%.
• Esophageal cancer research is critically underfunded.

Donate Today!
Donate today and your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Esophageal cancer research is critically underfunded and medical researchers continuously inquire about funding. In addition, due to lack of awareness and no routine or standard screenings, many individuals typically face advanced prognosis with limited treatment options.

Now more than ever, your support is critically needed to enable this charity to fulfill our mission.

Click here to donate!

The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation has been named a “2022 Top-Rated Nonprofit” by GreatNonprofits and hosts in-person and virtual events in Rhode Island, Missouri, Colorado, Ohio, Kentucky, New York City, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Virginia, Maine, New Jersey, and Illinois, with additional locations currently in the planning stages. These events gave rise to chapters in St. Louis, Missouri, Arvada, Colorado and Brooklyn, New York.

The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation: Established in Rhode Island on November 21, 2011, the foundation’s mission is to raise awareness, encourage early detection and to fund research of esophageal cancer...in hopes of a cure™. The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit organization, as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. For more information, visit: SALGI.org