Helping Families Fight Cancer.

Sean Strong was founded to assist with child care expenses for families with a parent or guardian diagnosed with any type of cancer. We are equally committed to providing financial support for continuing research and education.

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About the Foundation

The Sean F. Hogan Sr. Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is helping to alleviate some of the financial burden families with children experience after a cancer diagnosis. The Foundation provides assistance with child care expenses for families with a parent or guardian diagnosed with any type of cancer. The Foundation is equally committed to providing financial support for continuing research and education through lectures for public awareness of Cholangiocarcinoma.

Cases in U.S. per Year

Families Helped Since 2015

Memorial Lectures Since 2015

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Our Story

Sean and I officially started dating in March 2009. On our first date, he walked me past his firehouse, Ladder 2 in downtown Philadelphia. Sean was always very proud to be a Philadelphia Firefighter, which was obvious from that first night. We fell in love and our relationship became serious pretty quickly. We moved in together and soon learned that Sean Jr. was on his way. Sean and I would slow dance in our living room and blow kisses to each other from across the room. Sean was 40 and I was 31 when we met, we both waited a long time to find each other and were the perfect match. We were married on October 21, 2011 and about a year later, found out we were expecting our second child. Our happily ever after was just beginning and it seemed as if all of our dreams were coming true.

Shortly after learning I was pregnant with our second child, Sean began to feel symptoms of what we thought was Hepatitis. On November 1, 2012 Sean was officially diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), we learned that the tumor was inoperable and twice the size for a liver transplant. At this time, Sean was 44 years-old. We had been married for one year; Sean Jr. was 18 months old and I was eight weeks pregnant with our second child. During that very first hospitalization at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, we decided that if the baby was a girl, she would be named Faith. We needed to have “Faith” and believe Sean was going to beat cancer in spite of very overwhelming odds. Faith Marie Hogan was born on June 10, 2013 and gave us so much hope. As weak and sick as Sean was, he was in the delivery room and so proud of his baby girl.

During Sean’s battle with cancer, he endured twelve rounds of chemotherapy, twenty-five sessions of radiation treatment, seven endoscopic procedures and numerous hospital stays. It seemed as if everything that could possibly go wrong with Sean’s type of cancer did. However, in September 2013, we learned that the procedures and therapies to help shrink the tumor worked enough that his surgeon could operate. All of our prayers were being answered. Sean survived an intense 18 hour surgery, but sadly I lost him during recovery forty-eight hours later in the Intensive Care Unit on September 23, 2013.

Sean had more friends than most people and his personality was not one easily forgotten. His death has had a profound effect on all of us. Always upbeat, frequently cocky, Sean had an innate ability to light up a room just by walking in. I often felt as if I were treading water and, at times, almost drowning while caring for Sean and our two very small children. My intention with starting this Foundation is to help alleviate some of the burden other families in similar situations experience by providing funds to assist them with childcare expenses. The goal is to let Sean’s light continue to shine by helping other families be SEANstrong. I know that my husband would be proud of our cause.

Recipients

The Sean Strong Foundation has had the honor of assisting the following families with their financial burden while undergoing treatment at Jefferson University Hospital

Derek was diagnosed with an aggressive form of non-Hodgkins Burkitts Lymphoma in February 2016; he is unable to work for several months while undergoing treatment. Derek has three young children: 8 yrs., 6 yrs., and 15 months old. The Foundation is proud to provide payment for a pool membership and swim lessons for the kids this summer.

This beautiful single mom has breast cancer, and I personally know her. The Foundation was able to assist her with school tuition and basketball fees for her young children. It’s not every day I get to help someone who I know, and it makes fulfilling our mission all the more meaningful. Colette, you have a beautiful soul and you will beat cancer. SEANstrong has your back!

Suzanne was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer stage IIIB in May 2015. She had to leave her full-time teaching position to receive treatment at Jefferson. The foundation has helped her with child care expenses for her young children.

Jennifer, one of our latest recipients is a teacher and single mother of two beautiful girls, pictured with her daughters during treatment.

Rachel, a 43 year old mother of four children ages 7 through 16 years was able to enroll her kids in their local YMCA summer camp through the help of the Foundation while undergoing chemotherapy to treat her breast cancer.

Galit, a 43 year old busy mom of 5 and 6 year old girls undergoing chemotherapy treatments for colorectal cancer. We helped her with financial assistance for childcare expenses and peace of mind that children were taken care of in her absence.

Denise, a 46 year old mom with 4 children between the ages of 5 and 12 with breast cancer undergoing numerous rounds of chemotherapy, two mastectomies and radiation twice a day for 39 treatments. The Foundation helped her with babysitting costs. Mom relied heavily on a babysitter to get her kids to and from school. The foundation was able to assist with those babysitting costs.

Mark, a 42 year old father diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia received a bone marrow transplant in June. The Foundation was able to send his three children to camp this summer during his treatment and recovery.

Lorriena, a 35 year old single mom of three children diagnosed with lymphoma struggling to balance chemotherapy treatments and caretaking responsibilities. The Foundation was able to help send her children to camp while she was undergoing treatment during the summer.

Christopher, a 45 year old father with acute myeloid leukemia recently received a bone marrow transplant. His wife was able to visit him in the hospital without having to worry about childcare for their two children, ages 6 and 12. Camp fees were paid by the Foundation.

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Board of Directors

Our Sean Strong team participates in fundraising events throughout the year.

Patricia Anne Hogan | Founder & President

Patty Hogan is a mother, teacher, motivational speaker and cancer advocate. She founded the Sean F. Hogan Sr. Foundation in loving memory of her husband, Sean Hogan. After navigating all the logistical, financial, physical, and emotional adversities of Sean’s cancer battle, Patty wanted to help families struggling in similar circumstances- scheduling appointments, contending with insurance companies, searching for treatment options, caring for young children. She takes pride in providing critical supports for families living with cancer as she strives to improve the statistics of cholangiocarcinoma.

Patty aspires to instill in her children, Sean and Faith, her core belief that no matter how difficult life can be, everyone can strive to make the world a better place. It is Patty’s hope that in securing Sean’s legacy she can make a difference for other families like hers.

Luke Angus

Vice President

About

Luke Angus is an Account Representative at The Safegard Group in Media. In Luke’s role as Account Representative, he is responsible for new business development in the small commercial and personal insurance divisions of The Safegard Group. Prior to that, Luke worked at Jefferson’s Office of Institutional Advancement supporting the Executive Vice President of Development.

Luke could not be more excited to become part of the SEANstrong family. Having worked at Day Camps for most of his life, Luke is extremely passionate about helping children have the most fulfilling childhood possible. Additionally, Luke is passionate about fighting cancer since his good friend and grandfather have recently been diagnosed with cancer. Luke currently resides in Lafayette Hill with his high school sweetheart and their dog Jean.

Barabara Nield

Secretary

About

Barbara is a retired Paralagel who worked at prestigious law firms in Center City for over 35 years. She was a longtime member of a local chapter of a national paralegal association and served on its Board of Directors, holding positions as Secretary and Vice President.

Barbara is the proud mother of three daughters and nine grandchildren. She is passionate about community service volunteering at her church and shelters and along with her husband, Bill, has visited with and brought meals to the homebound and elderly. As Patty’s aunt, Barbara witnessed the struggles and pain her niece endured while her husband Sean was battling Cholangiocarcinoma. Barbara is honored to play a part in relieving some of the stress others endure during their most difficult times.

Thomas Nield

Treasurer

About

Tom is a cousin to the foundation’s Founder and President, Patty Hogan. He has a passion for community service and a history with volunteering in various children’s organizations. Tom grew up in a very large, close-knit family, which taught him the value of helping others. He lives in Philadelphia with his partner and works in the Operating Room at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He enjoys spending time with family, especially his nieces and nephews. Tom is beyond excited to be a member of the board of such a wonderful foundation and looking forward to helping families during a stressful and scary time in their lives.

Dr. Rani Anne

Board Member

About

Dr. Rani Anne is a radiation oncologist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and an associate professor of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College. She has been involved in the care of cancer patients at Jefferson for over 20 years. She is a strong advocate for patients and their families, and is involved with cancer clinical trials and research. She specializes in the care of patients with gastrointestinal, breast, and gynecological cancer. She lives in Center City Philadelphia with her husband and son.

Dawn Reilly

Board Member

About

Dawn McGinty Reilly is a practicing School Psychologist in a New Jersey Public School District. She believes in the importance of partnerships and collaboration in meeting the needs of all. Dawn earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Ursinus College and a master’s and educational specialist degree in School Psychology from Rowan University. Dawn is a wife and mother of three children. She recognizes the importance of strong families and utilizes her position on this board to help maintain the strength for families undergoing a cancer diagnosis. Within the foundation Dawn co-chairs the Moment of Joy and Broad Street Run events to help the foundation further its mission in keeping families SEANstrong.