Boardman doctor joins Cleveland Clinic’s leadership board

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Neighbors | SubmittedCleveland Clinic's Taussig Cancer Institute National Leadership Board member Thomas Detesco (right) has been practicing internal medicine for 30 years. He is a strong advocate for cancer research.

By SHAIYLA HAKEEM

neighbors@vindy.com

Thomas Detesco has been practicing internal medicine in Boardman for more than 30 years.

He specializes in primary care, but has always been an advocate for cancer research. Detesco has been appointed as a new member of the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute National Leadership Board.

The leadership board is comprised of individuals who have a commitment to providing financial, and innovative support to the institute.

Their goal is to change the historical fatal perspective of cancer into a chronic illness and eventually a curable illness.

“I am pleased to be on the board because it allows me to continue to aggressively work toward making people aware that cancer is not a hopeless condition and it can be dealt with,” Detesco said.

The Taussig Cancer Institute, he says, is the leading cancer center in Ohio and consistently ranks in the top 10 or 12 cancer centers in the country. The Cleveland Clinic is one of the few facilities in the country that can do basic cancer research right at their institute.

“They can take information gained from research and the newer techniques that they are developing and use them immediately on the patients that they are treating for various cancers, including brain cancer, right there at there at the Cleveland Clinic,” Detesco said.

Aside from his new position on the board, Detesco supports cancer research by providing a financial platform for Cleveland Clinic’s Brain Tumor and Neuro Oncology Center through monies donated to the Tommy Detesco Fund for Adolescent and Young Adult Brain Tumor Research.

The fund was founded in 2008 in the honor of his late son, Tommy Detesco. Tommy suffered from brain cancer and received several treatments from the Taussig Center.

The clinic, and the research conducted there, helped to extend his life — allotting more time for enjoyment and contributions to his community.

“When he died at age 32, he died loving life,” Detesco said. “If we can raise the funds and put the word out about taking advantage of facilities like Taussig, other people can enjoy an extended life just like Tommy did.”

The Cleveland Clinic has made numerous breakthroughs in some types of cancer, but continuing research is paramount to finding treatment to other complex forms of cancer.

Monies from the Tommy Detesco Fund supports Cleveland Clinic’s Brain Tumor and Neuro Oncology Center and aids in finding cures and treatment for incurable cancers.

For information on the fund or to make a donation, visit http://www.tommydetescofund.com.