Marie Milio is the founder of the Romeo Milio Lynch Syndrme Foundation. Romeo suffered from Lynch Syndrome, a gene that carries a predisposition to certain cancers. Other members of Romeo's family, including his mother, two uncles and an aunt passed away from cancer at a young age.
The foundation's goal is to help those with the gene and raise awareness. It is hosting a gala on March 28 at the Doubletree Hotel in Tarrytown. It is estimated over 600,000 people have the gene and are unaware.
Dr. Kenneth Offit, a genetic oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering, will be speaking at the event.
Marie Milio said Romeo discovered he had Lynch syndrome when he was diagnosed with colon cancer, a cancer that's common for people with Lynch Syndrome. He also battled adrenal cancer.
"A lot of young people between the ages of 20 and 40 are getting colon cancer and they don't know why," Milio said. "People under 40 don't go for a colonoscopy unless there's a reason."
Milio said people should be getting screened for Lynch Syndrome if they had colon cancer.
"You risk is increased by 80 percent, it's pretty crazy," Milio said.
The foundation started a fund at Memorial Sloan Kettering to pay for genetic testing and also funds a scholarship at Lincoln High School in Yonkers where Romeo graduated.
"It helps to be screened constantly," Milio said. "A person with Lynch Syndrome can catch it in the early stages so it doesn't develop. We're trying to help people. What we went through was terrible and we don't to see anyone else go through with it.
Milio said Romeo was a well loved guy, especially in Yonkers. When he died, his daughters were 2.5 years old and seven weeks old.
"His death will not be in vain," Milio said. "We are seeing advances in research because of what we're doing. Remembering Romeo is important for me."
For more information on the foundation, visit www.romeomiliofoundation.org
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