By Cris Italia
I didn't want to die, I had a wonderful family . . . I asked God to get me through this, he said.
Doctors gave Tenaglia a just over a year to live, but he beat those odds. At one point, he had no trace of cancer in his system.
Tenaglia kept his promise and started the Miracle Foundation, to raise cancer awareness on Long Island. We wanted to create more awareness and improve cancer care, Tenaglia said.
With the help of his wife Patti, the Miracle Foundation has raised millions of dollars.
The idea of adding a chapter for cancer care at Mercy Medical Center had long been desired, but it was something that just never materialized. A new building had been discussed about four years ago, said Vincent DiRubbio, president and chief executive officer at Mercy Medical Center. With Mike's help the project has come to life and we can have something done in about a year.
Calling this great news for potential cancer patients on Long Island, DiRubbio said, Now they don't have to travel into Manhattan for treatment or surgery."
Unfortunately, Tenaglia has recently received bad news. Cancer has been found again and he has been told by doctors that his chances for survival are slim, still he keeps fighting.
It's month to month right now, Tenaglia said. Some days are better than others, but you make a decision to either give up or fight this to the end like a mortal enemy.
Tenaglia says it is easier to quit, but the thoughts of his family and doing some good on Long Island keep him going on.
He has four children from ages 10 to 16. Every morning I just wake up and look at a picture of them and that is enough motivation to keep me going.
It will take over $5 million to make the Miracle Building possible, but thanks to Mike and the hundreds of generous people who have donated, the project will receive the much-needed funding. Tenaglia heard of the project and immediately wanted to do help out.
The Miracle Building will be staffed by representatives from Sloan Kettering. With the Sloan Kettering corporation, the project should go smoothly. Everyone is enthusiastic about this, Tenaglia said.
With over a thousand patients a year admitted from Long Island, the project will be able to keep patients closer to their families. Patients will be spared over 100,000 trips into Manhattan, stated James Heart, executive director of Memorial Sloan Kettering. Long Island will finally have a place where world class cancer care will be available.
The Miracle Foundation will hold a fund-raiser on March 9 at St. Pat's Carlton in Eisenhower Park. On June 10, it will host a golf tournament to raise money for the Miracle Building at Cherry Valley. Anyone interested can call (516) 705-1813.
For Tenaglia the fight will all be worth it. Doctors say that there will be a one in a thousand chance for survival. He plans to do the impossible. I will be that one person. I will fight till the end.
