Michigan Entrepreneur, Cancer Survivor Pledges $1 Million Legacy Gift to support research at AHN Cancer Institute

The family of Robert J. Granata, a cancer survivor and Michigan entrepreneur, has donated $1 million to support research carried out at Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute’s (AHNCI) Peritoneal Surgery Program.

The Granata family’s planned gift serves as a gesture of his gratitude for the innovative and life-saving work offered by clinicians at AHNCI, specifically David Bartlett, MD, chair of the AHNCI and an internationally recognized cancer specialist with expertise in peritoneal surgery.

In 2014, Mr. Granata was told he only had three months to live following the diagnosis of a rare and aggressive stage 4 appendiceal cancer. Doctors had discovered that his appendiceal cancer had advanced throughout his abdominal tissues, colon, and abdominal lymph nodes.  

Mr. Granata sought out Dr. Bartlett, a pioneer in hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), who performed two life-saving surgeries on him.

The HIPEC procedure is preceded by a major debulking surgery to remove all visible tumors and cancer within the abdomen. Next, the abdominal cavity is bathed with a heated chemotherapy solution to kill off remaining microscopic cancer cells – the chemotherapy solution is heated to between 107 and 109 degrees, which is hot enough to destroy cancer cells, but not healthy tissue.

In all, the HIPEC surgery can last 8-12 hours. Few surgeons in the world have Dr. Bartlett’s level of experience and expertise with the procedure, which is why patients from around the country and world come to AHN. Mr. Granata lives in Birmingham, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit.

“Compared to standard chemo, surgery plus HIPEC significantly improves survival from many cancers,” said Dr. Bartlett. “About 10 to 15 percent of patients are cancer-free long-term.”

Since undergoing treatment at AHN in 2019, Mr. Granata has had no evidence of cancer in his body and in gratitude he has spearheaded several philanthropic efforts to support the growth of the AHN Peritoneal Surgery Program and to advance Dr. Bartlett’s research aimed at the development of new therapies and helping patients avoid invasive surgical treatment.

In addition to his previous gifts to the Bartlett Cancer Research Fund, the Granata family has pledged to posthumously donate a $1 million legacy gift to sustain and advance the Peritoneal Surgery Program for AHNCI, and create hope for patients in the future.

“Upon receiving my diagnosis in 2014, I was determined to do whatever I needed to in order to continue living,” shared Mr. Granata. “I’m grateful I was able to locate Dr. Bartlett and will forever be indebted to his life-saving work. My intention with this pledge is to create future opportunities for others in similar situations to ensure they can continue living far beyond their diagnosis.”

The new $1 million gift will formally establish the Granata Family Endowed Fund in Innovative Cancer Research at AHN. The Granata family’s hope with this new fund is that it will become a catalyst for additional major philanthropic funding to support this critical area of research.

In addition to his philanthropic gifts to AHN, Mr. Granata has launched an international Patient Ambassador Team comprised of patients treated by Dr. Bartlett and Dr. Patrick Wagner, an AHN surgical oncologist who specializes in abdominal tumors.

Cancer patients from across the world have traveled to AHNCI facilities in Pittsburgh and Erie to receive innovative and life-saving care from AHN’s skilled oncologists. Under Mr. Granata’s direction, many of these patients have come together to help shape and expand a Global Referral Program and make AHNCI an international destination center for the treatment of complex cancers and ensure that patients who need this specialty treatment are aware of where they can find it.

“Our goal is to offer patients the latest therapeutic innovations and advanced treatment regimens to fight even the most aggressive cancers, and Mr. Granata’s outcome has been exceptional,” said Dr. Bartlett. “His incredible generosity and ongoing work with our team will create a remarkable legacy that spurs the development of additional cancer treatment breakthroughs in the future, enabling us to bring even greater hope to others facing similar rare cancer diagnoses.”

Mr. Granata also initiated a pilot project to redesign patient gowns to create more privacy, comfort, and functionality for patients in both the outpatient and inpatient settings, inspired by his experience with months-long stays in the hospital following his HIPEC procedures. In conjunction with AHNCI, Mr. Granata has led several focus groups and surveys with stakeholders, including patients and caregivers, to gather input to create a more functional “dignity gown” that allows for more privacy for the patient.

To learn more about the AHN Cancer Institute, visit https://www.ahn.org/services/cancer.