Eddie's Entourage - The Blackburn Family Cancer Foundation-Coaching For A Cure

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My name is Ed Blackburn and my family and I have participated in the Lustgarten Staten Island walk since 2021. As a survivor of Pancreatic Cancer, I understand the importance of funding the research and clinical trials that are improving outcomes for patients like me. When we found out about the Lustgarten foundation, we knew we wanted to support in any way we could and in our second year Eddie’s Entourage was born.

My story starts on September 11, 2001. At the time, I was still an NYPD Detective with just months left until retirement. On that dreadful morning that caused so much heartache, I had just returned home from an overnight shift and was immediately called to Ground Zero to assist in the search and rescue operation that was underway. 

Fast forward 18 years to March 2, 2019, I was out to dinner celebrating my brother-in-law’s birthday when I thought I was having a heart attack. The pain I was feeling was actually a massive tumor that turned out to be Stage II-b Pancreatic Cancer that eventually metastasized to my liver ultimately reaching Stage IV. It was determined that my cancer was caused by my time at Ground Zero and I was fortunate to be accepted and supported by the 9/11 Victims’ Compensation Fund. 

I was, and continue to be treated at the NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, where I met Drs. Paresh C. Shah and Despina Siolas. After days of careful testing, planning, and discussion, I was enrolled in a clinical trial that I firmly believe saved my life. I underwent 16 weeks of grueling chemotherapy treatment and six intense radiation sessions that ultimately shrank my tumor allowing Dr. Shah to fully resect it. Now, I undergo immunotherapy treatments every six weeks and am in remission.

Throughout my treatment, my family and I received unbelievable support from family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. From chauffeuring me to appointments to picking up dinner and everything in between, I know how lucky I was to be surrounded by so many loving people. During this time, I noticed not everyone was as lucky as I was to be surrounded by so much love and support. We immediately knew we wanted to do all that we could to support those patients who were not as lucky as I. When we found the Lustgarten foundation in 2021, my wife, Linda, son, Shane, and I donated money and took a walk down the boardwalk. The following year with more advanced notice we were able to rally a large contingent of family and friends to raise money and show up in a big way as Eddie’s Entourage! We have continued to participate every year and look forward to seeing you at this year’s walk. 

The Lustgarten foundation inspired us along with my experiences at NYU to start The Blackburn Family Cancer Foundation - Coaching for a Cure. Our mission is to support patients battling all forms of cancer and their families while working with doctors to improve patient outcomes. We do this by funding Pancreatic Cancer research to improve early detection, treatment, and hopefully one day a cure. Funding is also allocated to patients facing challenges because of their ongoing battle with all forms of this terrible disease.