Standard FAQs

What does Art have? When was he diagnosed? Can I get it?
I have been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease (which is cancer of the lymph nodes) stage IV. I was originally diagnosed back in February 2000 with the primary site in my lungs, chest and left neck. I did a round of Stanford V chemotherapy and mantle radiation in the spring and summer. That should have worked. Instead, the cancer returned in my lower back area and in one node in my right lung.

In October 2000 I started ICE chemotherapy and in January 2001, I began a stem cell transplant. In April 2001, it was determined that the cancer had not been completely eradicated. In September 2001, I started a new round of MOPP chemotherapy. In February 2002, I will be doing a mini-bone marrow transplant. My match is my youngest brother, Billy. To date, doctors and researchers have not determined a cause to as how people contract Hodgkin's Disease. Anyone can get it and there is no way to prevent it. Other more famous names who have had Hodgkin's include Pittsburgh Penguin Star Mario Lemieux and Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen.

Why has Art created a website?
1. To spread a message of hope and inspiration to all those having bad days, going through tough times and needing a pick-me-up. 2. To provide a central location for all of my family, friends, and co-workers to keep informed of my day-to-day situation. 3. To help other cancer patients by giving informative Web sites and personal experiences that will prepare them for their treatment.

Who is the webmaster of www.artcanning.com? Can I have him set up a web site for me?
Patrick Altman is the current webmaster. He can be e-mailed at patrick@pataltman.com. He deserves all the credit for the site. I send him the information and he puts it up and makes it look pretty. Check out his website at www.pataltman.com. If you e-mail him, he will give you the details of how to set up your own Web site.

How can I contact Art?
Best way to reach me - e-mail art@artcanning.com.
Home address:
Art Canning
424 Glacierview Drive
Youngstown, Ohio 44509

New York Address:
Art Canning
Ronald McDonald House
Room 804
405 E. 73rd Street
New York, NY 10021

How can I help you Art?
The best thing you can do is put yourself on the prayer and fasting calendar. More than food, games, calls, e-mails, anything- I, my family, the doctors and other patients need your sincere prayers for God's will to be done.

If you feel like you desire to do more, my favorite cookies are buckeyes (you know, peanut butter on the inside covered by chocolate, it’s a huge Ohio Christmas thing) and I put ranch dressing on everything. You can never have enough ranch.

Check out the You Can Help link.

Why are you doing a bone marrow transplant? Don’t those suck?
The stem cell transplant didn’t work. I have an extremely aggressive form of Hodgkin’s Disease that requires the big guns. A BMT is the biggest gun out there. Not only will Billy’s stem cells kill the cancer cells, but they will kill my bone marrow and immune system as well. Any chance for the cancer to survive is slim to none. We are hoping none. Yes, it does suck, but I have technically already been through it. It is all a matter of time. For a few days I was sick as a dog. After the initial reaction, it was all downhill from there. The night I left the hospital after the stem cell transplant, I went out and caught a movie (Save the Last Dance, no less). It’s difficult, but I’ve been there. I can do it again. It’s all a matter of keeping busy, keeping focused, and having a game plan.

So you don’t need a bone marrow donor?
No, I don’t. It’s a scary thing to have your little brother’s cells floating in your body, calling the shots, but to live I gotta suck that up. But the national donor registration is always looking for donors. Check out http://www.marrow.org/

Will there be another benefit dinner?
We are not sure. That is currently in the strategic planning phase. Come back to the here in a few weeks.