Lap4Life

Lap4Life is a non-profit organization created to raise money and awareness for Desmoid Tumors and Organ Transplant Research by Maddalena Casabianca-Reade. Along with Brian Reade, she is co-Director of Lap4Life.

Eleven years ago, at the age of 30, Maddalena’s brother was affected by Desmoid Tumors. These rare tumors affect one in every 2-4 million people. After nine years of medical treatment and multiple surgeries with subsequent complications, he was left with few options. A final attempt to remove his large desmoid required resection of his entire small intestine. Following this, he could no longer eat and was reliant on intravenous nutrition. More treatments followed, but, unfortunately, at the age of 39, he succumbed to an illness that his weakened immune system could not ward off.

Her brother’s story inspired her to work for this cause and start Lap4Life.