The Oral Cancer Foundation-A Lifesaver for Patients, Families and Friends

Anita McGinn Natali. Family Caregiver

Susan Lauria. Director of Events and Volunteer Coordinator for the Oral Cancer Foundation

Background:

Anita is a wife, mother, grandmother, and a professionally trained Fine Art Painter, with a BFA from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art. She was a single Mom to two teenage sons working as an Art Director when she met Clark Natali in 1993. Five years later, in 1998, Anita and Clark married on a gorgeous October day surrounded by their family and friends.

Throughout their relationship, Anita and Clark enjoyed skiing, traveling, boating, golfing, and spending summers at the shore. In 2003, Anita retired from pharmaceutical advertising to pursue painting full time.

In 2007, when Clark was diagnosed with oral cancer, Anita became her husband’s caregiver, helping him through a serious health crisis that would last more than 5 years.

Today, Anita is a volunteer and Co-Chair on the Patient and Family Advisory Council at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, she donates her oil paintings to The Oral Cancer Foundation to help raise funds for awareness, prevention, and education. Anita is profoundly grateful to the people of HUP and OCF for their continued care and support for her husband and herself.

Susan Lauria has been involved with the Oral Cancer Foundation for 6 years as the Director of Events, planning and help organize oral cancer awareness events around the country.  She also organizes the OCF Walk/Run for Awareness in Memory of her brother David Nasto who died of stage IV tongue cancer at age 47. It is held each year in Andover, NJ.  She has a degree from Montclair State University in Business/Hotel-Recreation Management and has been the Director of Sales for Prime Motor Inns for 10 years.  In addition to her role for the Oral Cancer Foundation, she owns and operates a Senior assistance company helping seniors stay in their homes by providing services to enhance their independence.

Overview:

The Oral Cancer Foundation is an asset for those who need information and want to connect with others who are dealing with the many challenges of oral cancer treatment and recovery. Anita speaks from her personal point of view of having discovered the web site while caring for her husband. Susan speaks from the perspective of having lost a brother to oral cancer and now volunteering as a way to give back in the memory of her dear brother.

3 Key Points:

1. Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer are a warning red flags that MUST be heeded.
2. Annual Oral Screening must be a part of a yearly visit to dentist or dental hygienist.
3. Oral Cancer Foundation is a resource for patient, family and friends of anyone who has head, neck or mouth cancer.