Health Council of South Florida

In April 2008, I was diagnosed with stage IV stomach cancer. I was told that my cancer was inoperable and incurable, that I would need chemotherapy for the rest of her life, there were very few effective treatment options, and that my chances of being alive in five years were less than 5%. At that time, I was forty years old, the mother of three young children, married to a physician, and a practicing attorney with my own firm. Thankfully, I responded to the first treatment they gave me and felt really fortunate so I began to help others in the same predicament. I decided that I could make a difference in the treatment options for stomach cancer patients by using my education, experience and contacts in the community. I received my Law Degree from the University of Miami and my Bachelor of Arts from Emory University. In addition, I had previous fundraising experience and business experience from running my own law practice for ten years. I started Debbie's Dream Foundation which is now called Can't Stomach Cancer: The Foundation of Debbie's Dream (CSC) which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to internationally raising awareness about stomach cancer, advancing funding for research, and providing education and support to patients, families, and caregivers. CSC seeks as its ultimate goal to make the cure for stomach cancer a reality. We have a free Patient Resource Education Program (PREP) that serves patients, survivors, families, and caregivers internationally via a toll free number. We also connect callers to others similarly situated. Our Headquarters are in South Florida and we have 8 Chapters in the United States. We work with international leaders in the cancer community and have an extensive Medical Advisory Board. I have appeared on Dr Oz in a show about stomach cancer as well as in the Sun-Sentinel and Miami Herald and on many local broadcasts.