Energy group pledges to Tommy Fund

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — D&L Energy Group pledged at least $250,000 over 10 years today to the Tommy Detesco Fund for Adolescent and Young Adult Brain Tumor Research.

The Tommy Fund was started by Boardman physician Thomas N. Detesco in memory of his son, Thomas Andrew, who battled a brain tumor for 29 of the 32 years he lived. Tommy died Aug. 31, 2007.

Dr. Detesco, whose practice is First Medical Associates in Boardman, established the Tommy Fund to support research and treatment at the Cleveland Clinic Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center, where Tommy was a patient.

Dr. Detesco said Tommy’s life was extended because of the technology being researched and perfected during his remissions. He said targeting brain tumor research specifically for people ages 15-35 is necessary because a lot of energy already is placed on pediatric cancer and illness, and tumors affecting older adults. He also believes that cancer treatment is at an important crossroad, and he hopes that with research, cancer can be converted to a chronic, controllable disease.