Joanne and Gene Colombo’s gift of gratitude strengthens cancer care

Joanne and Gene Colombo once worked for competing steel companies until a merger fused their professional and personal lives. Married for nearly 35 years, Joanne and Gene have stood side by side as partners in good times – and now through a health crisis they have used as a springboard for generosity. 

When lingering, unexplained pain landed Joanne in the emergency room in late 2021, she never expected to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. A series of medical appointments leading to that moment had not yielded a diagnosis.

It was Dr. Stephen Andrews, section head of the Division of Gynecology/Oncology at Summa Health, who quickly recognized the problem and took immediate action. His prompt and accurate diagnosis saved Joanne’s life. In response, she and her husband were prompted to establish the Joanne and Eugene Colombo Endowed Fund in honor of Dr. Stephen Andrews and Staff.

Their gift of gratitude supports Dr. Andrews and his team as they provide personalized, comprehensive care to women with all types of gynecologic cancer, offering patients the most advanced chemotherapy and research protocols – equal to leading national cancer centers.

Reflecting on the couple’s decision to give to Summa Health, Joanne said, “How lucky I was to receive the quick action that Dr. Andrews took and the compassionate care that he provided! Because of that, we felt compelled to do something. It is important to give back.”  

Having grown up in Youngstown, Ohio, a city that faced steep financial decline after the steel industry shut down, Joanne understands that some people need to decide between buying groceries or seeking medical help. 

“I wanted to make this gift because I sincerely want to help people,” she explained. “If someone is diagnosed with cancer and they can’t afford to pay for it, I hope this gift can maybe take a little bit off their mind.” 

Gene wholeheartedly agrees with Joanne’s sentiment. “We’ve been blessed and wanted to share our good fortune in an ongoing fashion. You never know when something bad is going to happen. And, you are never really prepared, certainly not emotionally, and in many cases, you are not prepared financially.”

In addition to the excellent care delivered by Dr. Andrews and his staff, Joanne and Gene have high praise for the team working at the Summa Health Outpatient Infusion Center at the Summa Health Cancer Institute.

“Everyone there is special – so compassionate and caring,” Joanne said. “We can’t say enough about the care she has received,” Gene added.

Joanne noted that she battled another threat while undergoing chemotherapy. “It is bad enough when you hear ‘cancer,’ then you have COVID on top of it. This is why I admire the healthcare workers who showed up for work and took care of people. They didn’t just jeopardize their lives, but the lives of their families.”

The couple is very grateful for each person Joanne encountered in her cancer journey. “I can’t thank them enough for their compassionate care and kindness – and that means a lot,” they said.

For more information, contact Nancy McCann, senior director of Development, at 330.375.7485 or mccannn@summahealth.org.