Friends Rally For Cancer Patient

At age 25 a diagnosis of Stage 4 Adrenal Cancer is the last thing Carl Ferretti expected when he went to the doctor for back pain last month.

When the 2005 Phoenixville Area High School grad got the stunning diagnosis, he quickly found out something else.  This guy has some amazing friends. He also has more support than he could have imagined in the community.

"We're a tight group of friends,"Mike Gatlos tells Patch,"When someone's in need we all come together."  The website Ferretti's friends set up with a goal of raising $30,000 had raised $28,756 as of early Friday morning.

It's evident on the website his friends set up to help cover the sudden expenses and it was on full display Thursday as hundreds and hundreds of people turned out in 40 degree weather to buy ice cream at Petrucci's in Phoenixville. 

Between noon and 10 p.m. Thursday Petrucci's donated 20 percent of all sales to the fundraising effort.  Totals weren't immediately available but Petrucci's owner Jay Colarusso told Patch the day was an "unexpectedly big success." The size of the crowds was unexpected because the termperatures were already in the 40's by 7 p.m.. not exactly ice cream weather.  That didn't matter to the friends, former coaches, community members, and total strangers who heard about Ferretti's story and wanted to help.

For the Ferretti family it was a heartwarming night. Carl's mother was laid off of her job of 18 years two weeks before he got the diagnosis. She was "stunned" when the diagnosis was made. Debbie Ferretti says the donations have made a world of difference to her family and to her only child.  

Carl goes to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia once a week for chemotherapy.  The physically draining treatments are administered on a  two weeks on/one week off rotation.  The week off allows Carl a little time to recover.  Because the treatments are so taxing he has moved back in with his parents during the treatment. All three Ferrettis say the donations have made a world of difference because it takes some of the worry of two lost paychecks out of the equation, allowing Carl to focus on fighting the advanced-stage cancer which is in his adrenal gland and spine.

Colleen Wood worked with Carl a few years ago at Genaurdi's.  She organized the ice cream fundraiser.  Petrucci's Jay Colarusso tells Patch the ice cream store was happy to help, but the deadline was very tight. "I told them we'd have to do it fast because the store is closing for the season on Sunday." 

Just like Carl's diagnosis, the fundraiser happened fast.  Another fundraising event is being planed for January 11.  The friends are organizing a beef and beer that will be held at Franklin Commons.  Details are still being finalized.  Patch will post them as they become available.

In the meantime you can help Carl's friends help the Ferretti family by donating on the website.