Meet Our Donors

John Brancaccio

John Brancaccio

John Brancaccio knows firsthand how stressful it can be to be diagnosed with heart valve disease. But 25 years after undergoing open-heart surgery to have his valve replaced and surviving amazing odds, the 90-year old retired mechanical engineer has made it his mission to help others by creating his legacy to ensure the future of the Heart Valve Center at St. Francis Hospital.

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Tom Huller

Tom Huller

After a long and exciting career with the New York City Police Department (NYPD), it wasn’t police work that put Lieutenant Thomas P. Huller at risk—it was his own heart.

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Jeffrey Lang

Jeffrey Lang

Jeffrey Lang had a longstanding fear of hospitals. A few years ago when Jeff first experienced shortness of breath and noticed that his heart was pounding a bit more as he climbed a flight of stairs, the healthy 57-year-old was frightened but ignored the troubling symptoms. Eventually, Jeff’s friends insisted that he go to the nearest emergency room.

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Linda Pons

Linda Pons

Linda Pons will be forever grateful to St. Francis Hospital for the surgery that saved her life; and St. Francis is equally grateful to Linda for her generosity—promised before she ever set foot in the Hospital as a patient.

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Pat and Dom Zuzzi

Pat and Dom Zuzzi

Pat and Dom Zuzzi’s relationship with St. Francis began 20 years ago when Dom had a heart attack that required triple bypass surgery. Today, Dom and Pat continue to be grateful to the doctors and staff who saved Dom’s life during that very frightening time.

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McGrotty's & Dr. Tenenbaum

Arlene & John McGrotty

A beautiful day on a Pennsylvania golf course brought John and a very special man together. By chance, John completed a foursome and met Dr. Chris LaMendola. On the 18th hole, John discovered that Dr. LaMendola, a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon, occupied an office adjacent to John’s cardiologist at St. Francis Hospital. The parting words were “I hope I see you soon on the golf course and not in surgery!”

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