SARASOTA – It was a goal set almost a decade ago. “It’s just nice to have some place to go for a cancer fighter and survivors can meet and for us it’s a grounding point for the foundation,” said Tony McEachern.
McEachern founded his non-profit organization Team Tony Cancer Foundation after he was diagnosed in 2003 with a rare and aggressive brain tumor. The goal of the foundation to pair caner fighters with survivors to make sure they aren’t alone in this fight.
“We can connect with any cancer research or resource organization throughout the state and the east coast of the U.S,” said McEachern.
The Team Tony Cancer Connection Center welcomes fighters, survivors and caregivers to provide peer to peer support. McEachern says with the new center he hopes to take the clinical out of cancer.
“It’s a dream come through, you know I tell the community, I tell folks when we’re speaking about it,” said McEachern. “The community came together to build a place for the community.
McEachern says he’s had nearly 200 people receive help from connection center and looks to help hundreds more along the Suncoast.
The Cancer Connection Center also offers workshops and support groups for caregivers as they are an important part of proving support during their loved ones fight with cancer.
The foundation will also host one of their biggest fund raising events coming up, The Grand Fondo Sarasota Bike Ride that will take place October 6th. Information on that event can be found on Team Tony’s website.
