Although Anthony Pacella is only 24 years old, he knows how to raise funds for a worthy cause close to his heart. On August 4, 2010, at only 51 years old, Anthony’s mother Maria Melillo was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.

It was a short-lived battle and she sadly passed away January 6, 2011. Pacella, who was only 15 years old at the time, his father and younger brother were left reeling in disbelief. Melillo had never smoked and at previous visits to her physician, had been diagnosed with bronchitis.

Melillo experienced ongoing coughing, bronchitis, weight loss and back pain. She persisted and asked for further tests and x-rays at St. Mary’s Hospital. “I am not leaving the hospital until you let me know what’s wrong with me,” Melillo said, according to her son.

After a lung x-ray, Melillo received her diagnosis – stage four lung cancer.  Melillo’s husband and their sons, Anthony and Daniel, found it difficult to see Melillo in so much pain. She endured chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Although she cut her hair short, she never lost her hair completely.

After his mother’s passing, Pacella felt strongly about doing something positive to honour her. He came up with the idea of hosting a family-oriented Bowl-O-Thon to raise funds.  He organized his first StrikeOut Cancer Bowl-O-Thon in March 2011. The event was a huge success where Pacella raised $20,000! All funds were donated to the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation. He felt encouraged and the Bowl-O-Thon became an annual event at Le Centre de Quilles 440 in Laval.

During the last nine years, Pacella has raised an astonishing $150,000. During the first five years, funds raised were donated to the hospital. However, Pacella decided that he also wanted to help families with children who were afflicted with cancer.  So, for the last five years, Pacella donated funds to Make-A-Wish Québec to help seven different children. Each event must raise at least $10,000 to make a children’s wish come true.

Many children received their wish to visit Disney World with their families. One young 8-year-old girl got her special wish to visit elephants in Thailand. Pacella says his mission is “to help kids with cancer and their families to endure this difficult experience by providing a joyful dream come true.”

Even $10,000 can really impact a child’s life in a positive way. Pacella now finds a new passion in raising funds to help families and leaves raising funds for research to larger corporations. Make-A-Wish Québec usually chooses the children that Pacella helps. However, he could not refuse helping Myriam, an 11 year old, suffering from brain cancer, whose family asked for his assistance.  She needed $40,000 for a treatment in the United States. Pacella dedicated all funds raised from the Bowl-O-Thon this spring to help Myriam reach her goal. Sadly, Myriam passed away before the event, but it was held to commemorate her.

One of Pacella’s goals is to let others know that non-smokers can have lung cancer, too. “Anyone can make a difference to help others. I started raising funds when I was just 15,” Pacella explains. “Looking back at my family experience, you never think cancer can affect a member of your family, but many people are affected by a friend or family member who has cancer.”

Pacella will host his fifth fundraiser Gala Event at Le Château Classique, St. Léonard on November 16, 2019.  The price is $120 per ticket, which includes a five-course gourmet meal, open bar, midnight snacks and live DJ. The décor will be a princess theme and a child chosen from the Make-A-Wish Quebec foundation will attend the event. You can contact Pacella or StrikeOut Cancer on Facebook to make a donation or purchase tickets for the Gala Event in November.  For more information on StrikeOut Cancer, please visit facebook.com/StrikeOutCancerFund.