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Elayne Gross
Israel Will Be
Dershowitz’s
Topic At Beth El
Lindsey and Brett Finsilver with their children, Charles “Charlie,” 12,
and Francesca “Frankie,” 10
Help For Others
Family’s caring will bring a new, comprehensive
cancer treatment to Detroit.
Shari S. Cohen | Contributing Writer
Editor’s Note: Lindsey Finsilver passed away
Dec. 18. Her obituary can be found on page
50.
Then she and Brett, along with her par-
ents, Robert and Leslie Jacobs, other family
members and a close friend, traveled to
Pittsburgh where Lindsey underwent a gru-
cancer diagnosis is shocking and
eling 14-hour surgery. She then spent five
often uproots the lives of the patient days in intensive care and almost a month in
and family members. They face new the hospital, followed by an additional sur-
challenges and often find special strengths as gery and a long recovery at home.
was the case for the Finsilver family.
Lindsey was asked to share her experi-
Lindsey Finsilver, 44, of Bloomfield Hills
ences at a 2014 Mincha Moments Yom
was physically active, energetic and busy
Kippur service at Temple Israel (available
taking care of her family when persistent
online), where the Finsilvers are members.
abdominal pain sent her to a doctor five
With clarity and strength, Lindsey described
years ago. She was diagnosed with cancer
her life since finishing her last chemotherapy
of the appendix — a rare cancer that affects
treatment in 2012.
only 700 to 1,000 Americans each year.
“When everyone has done their job and
Lindsey and her husband, Brett,
you’re alone, then it’s up to you to
42, learned treatments were limited
put your life back together, and
and that the best option to extend
it took 1½ years,” she explained,
her life was hyperthermic intraperi-
describing the after-effects of joint
toneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).
pain, neuropathy and memory
Cytoreduction is a major sur-
loss. “I had strength I never knew
gery to remove all visible cancer
I had and felt tremendously lucky
and associated organs, which is
throughout this ordeal for the fam-
immediately followed by HIPEC,
ily and friends who gave me the
Dr. David Kwon strength to get through it.”
a two-hour infusion of a heated
chemotherapy agent into the abdo-
Lindsey was a regular exerciser,
men to eliminate any remaining microscopic and a local spinning studio wanted to hold
cancer cells.
a fundraiser in her honor. Brett said they
“It is known as one of the three toughest
weren’t certain whether the funds should
surgeries you can have,” Brett said.
be used to help families go to Pittsburgh for
While a local hospital offered the surgery,
treatment or in some other way. Friends who
it did not have a comprehensive HIPEC pro-
own the Grand Traverse Pie Company and
gram so the Finsilvers sought treatment at
Orangetheory Fitness also raised money.
the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center,
BRINGING HIPEC HERE
well-known for HIPEC and appendix can-
Lindsey fervently wished a HIPEC pro-
cer treatment. The first step was a difficult
3½-month period of standard chemotherapy gram could be available in the Detroit area
to help patients without the family and
to shrink the tumor, which Lindsey under-
other resources needed for treatment in
went locally.
A
16 January 5 • 2017
Pittsburgh. Brett’s parents, Shari and Stanley
Finsilver, were involved with Henry Ford
Hospital, where there was interest in estab-
lishing a comprehensive HIPEC program.
The Finsilvers met and developed a close
relationship with David S. Kwon, M.D., head
of surgery at Henry Ford Hospital.
“For the longest time, there wasn’t a
treatment for appendix cancer,” Kwon said.
“HIPEC can significantly extend life and can
be curative in properly chosen patients.
“The surgery is extremely, extremely risky,
and you need a cadre of team members
and resources. The patient may lose a lot of
organs and may need a psychology team,
ICU team, specialized nurses, physical thera-
py and ostomy education.”
Kwon said the procedure is now being
used for additional cancers, including cer-
tain forms of gastric, colon and gynecologic
cancers.
In 2014, the Finsilvers invited a group
of potential donors — friends and family
members — to a fundraiser on behalf of the
planned Henry Ford HIPEC program. When
Lindsey’s cancer recurred, the event was
postponed until earlier this year. In addition,
Henry Ford Hospital set up a Team Finsilver
2016 component of their Game for Cancer
fundraising efforts to provide a public plat-
form for donations.
Contributions from the business donors,
friends and family now total close to $1.5
million and will be used for a specialized
HIPEC medical team and equipment at
Henry Ford Hospital.
Kwon said the HIPEC team, which is
expected to total about 30, is almost finalized
and the equipment that delivers chemo-
therapy is lined up. In addition to providing
surgery and extensive post-surgical care, he
said the HIPEC specialists will set up clinical
trials for the procedure.
“Lindsey is extremely happy this is com-
ing to fruition,” Brett said earlier this month.
“She is excited about the team in place. She
is excited people here can have the same
treatment she did in Pittsburgh.”
Kwon said, “Without someone like
Lindsey, with her generosity, this wouldn’t
have taken off. She was an amazing, resilient
woman.”
*
The Henry Ford HIPEC program expects to begin treat-
ing patients during the first half of 2017. To donate
to the program, visit http://henryford.com/finsilver or
go to the Team Finsilver page of the Game on Cancer
Facebook.
Temple Beth El will present famed
jurist and author Alan Dershowitz
speaking on “What do the next four
years mean for American Jews and our
relationship with Israel?” on Thursday,
Jan. 19, at the Bloomfield Township
synagogue.
A pre-glow patron event at 6 p.m.
includes wine, hors d’oeuvres and a
chance to spend time with Dershowitz.
Limited availability, $500 per person.
Register no later than Jan. 13.
For more information, contact
Danielle Gordon at (248) 851-1100 or
dgordon@tbeonline.org.
*
Shir Shalom Hosts
Soup Cook-Off
Temple Shir Shalom is sponsoring its
seventh annual Chicken Soup Cook-
Off from noon-1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan.
29, at the Corners, 2075 Walnut Lake
Road, West Bloomfield.
Matzo Ball and Chicken Noodle
soups dominate the cook-off, but
expect to sample other unique cre-
ations. Restaurants, individuals and
families will be vying for awards for
“Best Chicken Noodle,” “Best Matzo
Ball” and “Best Contemporary Chicken
Soup.” Also, there will be a “People’s
Choice Award” and a “Best Decorated
Table Award.” Guests do the voting as
well as a team of judges.
“This is a fun opportunity to bring
together not only our congregants, but
also the general public,” said Rabbi
Daniel Schwartz, who originated the
soup contest. “This is a great cause
and the opportunity to raise money for
charitable organizations is a privilege.”
Proceeds benefit I Am My Bother’s
Keeper Ministries: Detroit Homeless
Shelter, Young Adult Group of Shir
Shalom, Shir Shalom religious school
scholarships, and Team Alex & Make-
A-Wish. Last year, more than 500
people attended and more than $5,000
was raised.
Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children
ages 5-12, with children age 4 and
under free — or $15 for a family.
For advance tickets, contact Terri
Cooper, Rebecca Bershad or Rabbi
Daniel Schwartz at (248) 737-8700 or
email cookoff@shirshalom.org.
*