Why the Foundation
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This foundation is about Phillip Michael DeVito, his life, his attitude, his spirit, and his love of life. He was a one of a kind young man.
Diagnosed with cancer in 1988 at the age of 8, Phillip was in a battle for his life. During that battle Phillip underwent numerous surgeries and radiation. Phillip fought tremendously and defeated cancer. For the next seven years Phillip lived cancer free and enjoyed the life of a typical young boy.
Phillip remained cancer free until the age of 16 when the cancer returned. The battle raged on again. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation again dominated his daytime hours. Nauseousness, and other side effects dominated his evenings. But no treatment or side effect was allowed to dominate his spirit. Phillip was a warrior. He continued to live life on his terms and share his attitude and determination with whoever he came in contact with.
Phillip's effect on people along the way, through the battle with cancer, was inspiring. Phillip was an example of faith, optimism, courage, resiliency, unwavering friendship, and love entwined with a tremendous sense of humor.
Cancer finally took Phillip from us. Phillip's life's journey ended on December 21, 1997 at the age of 18.
We all miss Phil, and though at times painful, we allow his spirit and memory to continue to reside inside us. To allow us to be the best version of ourselves for one another.
The Phillip DeVito Scholarship at Lake Catholic High School was established in 1999 to aid students financially so they would be able to attend Lake Catholic High School. The scholarship still offers tuition assistance to students today. However, as the scholarship grew the The Phillip DeVito Board was determined to reach out to others in the community, outside of Lake Catholic, who were facing hardships in their lives. As a result of those discussions, the Phillip DeVito Foundation was established in 2008. Operating as 501c3 the foundation, to date, has contributed almost $400,000 dollars to over 325 families and individuals in memory of a great young man who gave us so much and left us too soon - Phillip Michael DeVito
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Contact us at
info@PhillipDeVitoFoundation.org
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