Community Corner

NJ Couple Seeks Help To Cover Brain Cancer Treatment

The personalized cancer vaccine, which isn't covered by the couple's insurance, costs around $100,000.

MARLBORO, NJ — The Marlboro community is rallying around a local couple to help pay for a personalized cancer vaccine that their insurance doesn't cover.

In July, John Tesoriero, 31, suffered a seizure while driving and was rushed to the hospital, where a large mass was discovered in his brain, according to an online fundraiser started to support John.

After he underwent surgery about a week later, Tesoriero received a glioblastoma diagnosis, the most aggressive form of brain cancer.

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"We had just bought our first home last year and were looking forward to starting our family," his wife, Morgan, said. "Instead, we are now trying to navigate a diagnosis that often recurs and searching for any reasonable opportunity to give him more time."

Currently, the couple is pursuing treatment through CeGaT in Germany to create a personalized cancer vaccine created specifically from the molecular characteristics of John's tumor.

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Because the treatment is only available internationally, however, Morgan said the treatment option is not covered by insurance and costs around $100,000.

Receiving the full course will also require the couple to travel to Germany 11 times at a separate cost.

"We are fortunate to have jobs, family, and friends who have supported us in ways we could never fully thank, and we do not take that for granted. Asking for financial help is not easy for us," Morgan said. "But with expensive out-of-pocket treatment costs and repeated international travel, this is an extraordinary expense."

Donations to the couple's online fundraiser will help cover a portion of the vaccine treatment costs and the medical travel required, while allowing the couple to continue navigating everything else involved in John's treatment.

The pair is planning to have the vaccine ready in early 2027. Fundraiser donations would help them move toward that goal.

"For everyone who has asked us, 'What can we do?' — this is one way to help," Morgan said. "If you are able to give or simply share this fundraiser, it would mean so much to us."

"Thank you for helping us pursue every option we can for more time together and being there for John."

The fundraiser has a goal of $100,000. As of Wednesday morning, $93,888 has been raised.

To access the fundraiser, you can click here.

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