The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation Reaches Milestone: Issues Research Funding For the First Time.

WARWICK, RI– The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Rhode Island, has issued its first round of funding for esophageal cancer research earlier this month.

The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation awarded program director, Dr. Carlos Minacapelli and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnston Medical School grant funding.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, also known as GERD or acid reflux disease, of which the most common symptom is chronic heartburn, is one of the primary risk factors associated with esophageal cancer. Other risk factors include obesity, poor nutrition and smoking. With over a 600% increase in the past decades, esophageal cancer is among the fastest growing and deadliest cancers in the United States and western world.

Currently, there are no standard or routine screenings to detect esophageal cancer in earlier stages. Symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, typically appear once the cancer has become advanced and the overall five-year survival rate is only 17.5%. Despite its rapid increase and poor prognosis, esophageal cancer receives very little awareness and research funding.

In 2011, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation was established to raise awareness, encourage early detection and to fund research of esophageal cancer. Since 2011, the foundation has both raised awareness and encouraged the importance of earliest possible detection throughout New England, across the United States and internationally.

“The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is excited to be a part of Dr. Minacapelli’s and Rutger’s research efforts in honor of all the brave men and women who were affected by esophageal cancer and to hopefully reduce incidence and improve outcomes for individuals in the future” President of the foundation, Linda Molfesi, stated.

“On behalf of our charity, I would like to thank all of our supporters and donors who believe in this mission and who make these accomplishments possible” Molfesi stated. “However, this is just the beginning. We received many other research requests that we were unable to fund at this time. We need to continue our efforts to fundraise so that we may continue to fund research.

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