Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation
$0 Total Raised
We are deeply saddened to announce that my wife Andrea passed away late in the evening on January 6, 2024. In 2016 Andrea was diagnosed with terminal cancer that is considered rare and almost always presents in the most advanced stage. Initially, given 3 months to a year, she immediately leaned into her diagnosis doing research, networking and to a significant extent leading her own care. This ultimately led her into patient advocacy. She worked through the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation as a research advocate fighting for patient rights. One of her many successful initiatives was getting a pharmaceutical company to provide cancer patients access to treatment for compassionate use for those who may not otherwise qualify for treatment via company protocols through clinical trials. The same company created an entire new arm of an existing trial named after Andrea. This expanded access to treatment has been repeated in several trials and Andrea blazed the trail. She spent much of her last 8 years speaking at conferences and articulating the experience of patients with rare cancer to doctors, drug companies, legislators and at times interfacing with the FDA.
Andrea helped people around the world impacted by her rare cancer to navigate treatment options in a space that lacks standard protocols. Every cancer journey is unique and every response to a diagnosis is valid and our family could not be more proud of Andrea’s example of service to others. Andrea looked at her cancer the same way she looked at life in general. She viewed it with curiosity, a chance to push boundaries, improve the lives of others and accept what life presents. We have endless correspondence from patients, their families, doctors and anyone she touched thanking and acknowledging her example of inspiration and hope. Most important to her was helping others take agency and see their own vitality in the journey.
She brought an abundance of love to all of her roles as a published writer, poet, teacher, educator, patient advocate, friend, mother and wife. She left a legacy to our two children and everyone she touched that when you are required to show strength it comes. She faced 11 different types of cancer treatments in 8 years. All had low probability of favorable outcomes. We lived scan by scan every six weeks. At times, some of the treatments were miraculously nothing more than a major inconvenience and a lot of regular and joyous life happened all along the way. Other times it was agony. Only a mother’s unrelenting love, intention, strength and courage could have eclipsed the fear and fate of the last eight years.
My wife leaves an important legacy and message to all that knew her and one that the world really needs right now. Despite how terrible things often can appear, the world is also terrific. She had an amazing gift to harmonize suffering and joy. She always leaned into the pain asking us to listen to what the present moment could teach us. Urging us to stay in the moment and not leave the space until the lesson could be learned. Not to push it down and allow modern, unhealthy or self-destructive distractions to become a means of escape. She was fearless and faced life head-on, yet lived with originality, intelligence, and imagination. To all that knew Andrea and experienced her warmth through her various roles, the world feels more empty than it did yesterday. We are beyond grateful for all the doctors, nurses, friends and family that have been there for us.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, those wishing to make memorial contributions in Andrea Parrellas' memory consider donating to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation to assist in making advancements in research, and support ongoing advocacy and awareness efforts for this devastating disease.
All donations are tax-deductible.
Click the "Make a Donation" button on this page to donate online. If you wish to donate by phone, please call (888) 936-6731 and speak with Laurie Kikel. If you wish to donate by mail, send check to:
CCF – In Memory of Andrea Parrella
5526 West 13400 South, #510
Herriman, Utah 84096, USA
We are deeply saddened to announce that my wife Andrea passed away late in the evening on January 6, 2024. In 2016 Andrea was diagnosed with terminal cancer that is considered rare and almost always presents in the most advanced stage. Initially, given 3 months to a year, she immediately leaned into her diagnosis doing research, networking and to a significant extent leading her own care. This ultimately led her into patient advocacy. She worked through the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation as a research advocate fighting for patient rights. One of her many successful initiatives was getting a pharmaceutical company to provide cancer patients access to treatment for compassionate use for those who may not otherwise qualify for treatment via company protocols through clinical trials. The same company created an entire new arm of an existing trial named after Andrea. This expanded access to treatment has been repeated in several trials and Andrea blazed the trail. She spent much of her last 8 years speaking at conferences and articulating the experience of patients with rare cancer to doctors, drug companies, legislators and at times interfacing with the FDA.
Andrea helped people around the world impacted by her rare cancer to navigate treatment options in a space that lacks standard protocols. Every cancer journey is unique and every response to a diagnosis is valid and our family could not be more proud of Andrea’s example of service to others. Andrea looked at her cancer the same way she looked at life in general. She viewed it with curiosity, a chance to push boundaries, improve the lives of others and accept what life presents. We have endless correspondence from patients, their families, doctors and anyone she touched thanking and acknowledging her example of inspiration and hope. Most important to her was helping others take agency and see their own vitality in the journey.
She brought an abundance of love to all of her roles as a published writer, poet, teacher, educator, patient advocate, friend, mother and wife. She left a legacy to our two children and everyone she touched that when you are required to show strength it comes. She faced 11 different types of cancer treatments in 8 years. All had low probability of favorable outcomes. We lived scan by scan every six weeks. At times, some of the treatments were miraculously nothing more than a major inconvenience and a lot of regular and joyous life happened all along the way. Other times it was agony. Only a mother’s unrelenting love, intention, strength and courage could have eclipsed the fear and fate of the last eight years.
My wife leaves an important legacy and message to all that knew her and one that the world really needs right now. Despite how terrible things often can appear, the world is also terrific. She had an amazing gift to harmonize suffering and joy. She always leaned into the pain asking us to listen to what the present moment could teach us. Urging us to stay in the moment and not leave the space until the lesson could be learned. Not to push it down and allow modern, unhealthy or self-destructive distractions to become a means of escape. She was fearless and faced life head-on, yet lived with originality, intelligence, and imagination. To all that knew Andrea and experienced her warmth through her various roles, the world feels more empty than it did yesterday. We are beyond grateful for all the doctors, nurses, friends and family that have been there for us.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, those wishing to make memorial contributions in Andrea Parrellas' memory consider donating to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation to assist in making advancements in research, and support ongoing advocacy and awareness efforts for this devastating disease.
All donations are tax-deductible.
Click the "Make a Donation" button on this page to donate online. If you wish to donate by phone, please call (888) 936-6731 and speak with Laurie Kikel. If you wish to donate by mail, send check to:
CCF – In Memory of Andrea Parrella
5526 West 13400 South, #510
Herriman, Utah 84096, USA
Be the first person to donate to the cause!
We are deeply saddened to announce that my wife Andrea passed away late in the evening on January 6, 2024. In 2016 Andrea was diagnosed with terminal cancer that is considered rare and almost always presents in the most advanced stage. Initially, given 3 months to a year, she immediately leaned into her diagnosis doing research, networking and to a significant extent leading her own care. This ultimately led her into patient advocacy. She worked through the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation as a research advocate fighting for patient rights. One of her many successful initiatives was getting a pharmaceutical company to provide cancer patients access to treatment for compassionate use for those who may not otherwise qualify for treatment via company protocols through clinical trials. The same company created an entire new arm of an existing trial named after Andrea. This expanded access to treatment has been repeated in several trials and Andrea blazed the trail. She spent much of her last 8 years speaking at conferences and articulating the experience of patients with rare cancer to doctors, drug companies, legislators and at times interfacing with the FDA.
Andrea helped people around the world impacted by her rare cancer to navigate treatment options in a space that lacks standard protocols. Every cancer journey is unique and every response to a diagnosis is valid and our family could not be more proud of Andrea’s example of service to others. Andrea looked at her cancer the same way she looked at life in general. She viewed it with curiosity, a chance to push boundaries, improve the lives of others and accept what life presents. We have endless correspondence from patients, their families, doctors and anyone she touched thanking and acknowledging her example of inspiration and hope. Most important to her was helping others take agency and see their own vitality in the journey.
She brought an abundance of love to all of her roles as a published writer, poet, teacher, educator, patient advocate, friend, mother and wife. She left a legacy to our two children and everyone she touched that when you are required to show strength it comes. She faced 11 different types of cancer treatments in 8 years. All had low probability of favorable outcomes. We lived scan by scan every six weeks. At times, some of the treatments were miraculously nothing more than a major inconvenience and a lot of regular and joyous life happened all along the way. Other times it was agony. Only a mother’s unrelenting love, intention, strength and courage could have eclipsed the fear and fate of the last eight years.
My wife leaves an important legacy and message to all that knew her and one that the world really needs right now. Despite how terrible things often can appear, the world is also terrific. She had an amazing gift to harmonize suffering and joy. She always leaned into the pain asking us to listen to what the present moment could teach us. Urging us to stay in the moment and not leave the space until the lesson could be learned. Not to push it down and allow modern, unhealthy or self-destructive distractions to become a means of escape. She was fearless and faced life head-on, yet lived with originality, intelligence, and imagination. To all that knew Andrea and experienced her warmth through her various roles, the world feels more empty than it did yesterday. We are beyond grateful for all the doctors, nurses, friends and family that have been there for us.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, those wishing to make memorial contributions in Andrea Parrellas' memory consider donating to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation to assist in making advancements in research, and support ongoing advocacy and awareness efforts for this devastating disease.
All donations are tax-deductible.
Click the "Make a Donation" button on this page to donate online. If you wish to donate by phone, please call (888) 936-6731 and speak with Laurie Kikel. If you wish to donate by mail, send check to:
CCF – In Memory of Andrea Parrella
5526 West 13400 South, #510
Herriman, Utah 84096, USA
Be the first person to donate to the cause!