A precautionary MRI following a knockout punch in the boxing ring during the summer of 2024 revealed a brain tumor for then 23-year-old Anuj Swaminathan, leading him to undergo an innovative surgery at Rhode Island Hospital in which he was awake during the procedure. Now two years since the tumor’s discovery and further removed from his surgery, Anuj looks back on his decision to remain in Rhode Island for his treatment, the care he received, and the significant deficits he has overcome to be where he is today.
Video created by NBC 10 WJAR as part of the Day of Giving for Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s on September 10, 2025.
In 2022, within just 100 days of each other, Debora Shapiro and her daughter, Daryl West, were both diagnosed with breast cancer. The news was shocking, especially with no family history of the disease; and it sent their family reeling. But what followed was a shared journey of strength, precision care, and advocacy. Together, they discovered world-class breast cancer treatment right here in Rhode Island—and built a movement to celebrate and support it through their annual fundraiser, Paddle for Progress.
Video created by NBC 10 WJAR as part of the Day of Giving for Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s on September 10, 2025.
It was June 2022, and Jason Lowery couldn’t shake the increasing discomfort in his back and his shoulder. A firefighter and father of 5, he chalked it up to his busy, active lifestyle and the fact he wasn’t as young as he once was. When the pain grew worse, an MRI revealed a mass on spine squeezing the nerves to his lower body. Even more shocking, the mass was cancerous. Ultimately diagnosed with multiple myeloma, Jason faced a long road that included surgery, radiation, and being one of the first patients ever to undergo a stem cell transplant at Rhode Island Hospital. For Jason, the ability to receive this level of care in Rhode Island, close to home, made all the difference.
Video created by NBC 10 WJAR as part of the Day of Giving for Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s on September 10, 2025.
Rhode Island Hospital has an internationally recognized multidisciplinary team dedicated to the treatment of brain tumors, including glioblastoma. Neurosurgeon, Dr. Clark Chen, and neuro-oncologist Dr. Eric Wong discuss personalized treatment and surgical options available at Rhode Island Hospital, and the importance of philanthropic support to further its exceptional patient care and research in this area of medicine.
Emanuel Silva (“Emoni”) was just six years old when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during a family trip to Portugal in May 2024. It was a diagnosis that changed everything; but thanks to a clinical trial offered through Hasbro Children’s, Emoni is not only getting world-class treatment close to home, but he is also living like the energetic, Lego-loving kid he’s always been. This clinical trial has allowed Emoni a better quality of life during treatment; one in which he could remain in school and actively enjoying his favorite activities.
The McLaughlin and Cratty families had their worlds turned upside down when Anthony (1 at the time) and Skylar (2 at the time) were diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2023. As the kids were receiving their care at Hasbro Children’s at the same time, moms Lauren and Ally were introduced to each other by one of the hospital’s oncology social workers. That began incredibly close friendships, moms and kids, and an unbreakable bond of support that’s made a world of difference for the families during their journey.
Rishi R. Lulla, MD, MS, chief of pediatric hematology/oncology at Hasbro Children’s speaks about the world-class cancer care that patients receive at Hasbro Children’s, the incredible multidisciplinary care team, and the importance of having this care right here at home in the Rhode Island community.
Video created by NBC 10 WJAR as part of the Day of Giving for Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s on September 10, 2025.