The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity working to raise awareness, encourage early detection and to fund research of esophageal cancer…in hopes of a cure.™
Please note that our mailing address has changed:
PO Box 1912, East Greenwich, RI 02818
2023 Esophageal Cancer Awareness Events:
- Niantic, CT: The 1st Annual Walk to Remember James Francis Urian: 4/22/23-4/23/23
- Califon, NJ: Linda’s Trail of Love, 2nd Annual Esophageal Cancer 5K Run/Walk: 5/20/23-5/21/23
- Point Pleasant, NJ: 1st Annual Jersey Shore Esophageal Cancer Awareness Walk: 6/4/23
- Rhode Island’s 12th Annual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run: 6/17/23
- 2023 Virtual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run: 6/17/23-6/18/23
- Edina, MN: 3rd Annual Frank Pasquerella Memorial Walk/Run: 8/19/23-8/20/23
- St. Louis, MO’s 7th Annual Billy Bob Trot- Esophageal Cancer Awareness & Research
- Colorado’s 6th Annual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run: 6/16/23-6/17/23
- Brooklyn, NY 5th Annual Esophageal Cancer Awareness Run/Walk- NYC: 6/16/23
Fast Facts About Esophageal Cancer:
Esophageal cancer has risen over 733% in the past four decades and is considered the fastest growing cancer in the United States and western world.
Risk factors include Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, chronic heartburn, obesity, poor nutrition, tobacco use, excessive alcohol use, lack of physical exercise and Barrett’s esophagus.
As one of the deadliest cancers, esophageal cancer has an overall five-year survival rate of 20.6%.
There are no routine or standard screenings to detect esophageal cancer in its earlier stages.
Symptoms often arise late, once the cancer is “distant” (spread to lymph nodes and other organs)
Stage IV has a survival rate of only 5.7%.
In 2023, an estimated 21,560 will be diagnosed with esophageal cancer and there will be an estimated 16,120 deaths from esophageal cancer. ¹
While we have an obligation to post the information on this page so that we can acquire the resources to change these statistics, we want to encourage those who are affected not to focus on the figures and rates and instead focus on treatment, receiving support from family and friends and taking each moment as it comes. Have faith and be strong! To all who, like us, have lost a loved one to esophageal cancer, thank you for helping to make a difference in their memory!
#Milestone: The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation Awards Research Funding Again!
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation has funded esophageal cancer research for the second time in less than seven years since our charity was founded. In November 2018, we awarded principal investigator, Dr. Donald Low and Virginia Mason Medical Center, grant funding. Dr. George Hanna of St Mary’s Hospital (Imperial College London) is co-investigator. This research is currently underway.
The research intends to establish a non-invasive test for the detection of esophageal cancer that is based upon the unique signature of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within exhaled breath and to analyze exhaled VOCs in response to therapeutic intervention in patients.
With over a 733% increase in the past four decades, esophageal cancer is among the fastest growing and deadliest cancers in the United States and the western world. There are no current standard or routine screenings to detect esophageal cancer in its earlier stages. Current guidelines recommend referral for endoscopy “only in the setting of ‘red flag’ symptoms that are frequently associated with inoperable disease,” Dr. Low stated.
These ‘red flag’ symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, chronic cough and GERD, typically appear once the cancer has become advanced. This, in addition with other factors, leads to the current overall five-year survival rate of only 19.2%. Despite its rapid increase and poor prognosis, esophageal cancer receives very little awareness and research funding.
To make a tax-deductible donation to The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, please visit: SALGI.org/donate.
#Milestone 2015: The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation Awards Research Funding
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation issued funding for esophageal cancer research in July of 2015. The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation would like to thank all of our supporters and donors who believe in this mission and who make this goal possible. To read more about this important milestone, click here!
This research was accepted by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute Council, to be presented as a poster presentation during Digestive Disease Week (DDW) held in Chicago, IL in May 2017.
In order to continue this mission and to further support esophageal cancer in the future, we must continue to work together and raise awareness and funding. Since 2015, our charity has received over 20 requests for esophageal cancer research funding and are on a waiting list.
To make a tax-deductible donation to The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, please visit: SALGI.org/donate.
-Support The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation when you shop online!
When you shop AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to our charity in support of esophageal cancer awareness & research! Click on the image below, or copy and paste the following URL in your web browser. Bookmark the page and use it each and every time you shop online. Thank you!
http://smile.amazon.com/ch/45-3633809
Esophageal cancer research is extremely underfunded.
The National Cancer Institute spends on average, only half of one percent for esophageal cancer research from its total budget. In 2017, NCI allocated $31,843,910 for esophageal cancer research funding out of its total $5,636.4 billion budget. In 2018, the NCI received an increase for their total budget by 5%, or $284 million from the previous fiscal year. However, in 2018, NCI again decreased its investment in research of esophageal cancer to $29,804,836.Latest Figures From NCI:
-2018 NCI funded Esophageal Cancer Research: $29,804,836
-2018 NCI Total Budget for Cancer Research: $5,927.7 billion budget.
October 2020: 9 for esophageal cancer research out of their total 737 cancer research grants.
While rates have dropped for other cancer types, esophageal cancer rates are skyrocketing!
Cost of Esophageal Cancer Care: $1.6 billion dollars was estimated to be spent on esophageal cancer treatment alone during 2016 in the U.S. (Source: Cancer.gov)Please consider a tax-deductible donation to help change the course of this devastating cancer!
In 2015, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation awarded its very first grant to esophageal cancer research. With your support and generosity, we will continue to fund esophageal cancer research.
Working together, we will raise awareness, shed light on the dangers of chronic heartburn, encourage early screening and fund innovative research projects dedicated to esophageal cancer.
Click here to donate.
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For more information and sources, please visit our Facts and Statistics pages.
Founded on November 21, 2011, in memory of our President’s father, who passed away after a courageous battle against esophageal cancer in 1998, the Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation believes education, awareness, routine screenings, improved treatment options and innovative research projects will help to lower incidence and mortality rates of esophageal cancer. Learn more about our mission.
Past Events, News & More!
2018 Events:
-3rd Annual Brian Blood Memorial Golf Tournament: Westford, MA: 9/24/18
To view photos from the event, please click here.
-1st Annual Gerald Owen Alumni Hockey Game: Chesapeake, Virginia: 7/28/218
-1st Annual Craft and Vendor Show For a Cause- Swanton, OH: 6/30/2018
To view photos from the event, please visit our Facebook page. Click here.
1st Annual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run: Arvada, CO: 6/16/2018
To view photos from the event, please visit our Facebook page. Click here.
-7th Annual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run: Warwick, RI: 6/16/2018
To view photos from the event, please visit our Facebook page. Click here.
-1st Annual Walk for Doc- Supporting Esophageal Cancer Research: Louisville, KY: 6/16/18
-The Organic Gallery Pop Up Art Show and Fundraiser: Jackson, NJ: 4/29/2018
-2nd Annual Billy Bob Trot- Esophageal Cancer Awareness & Research- St. Louis, MO: 4/28/2018
To view photos from the event, please visit our Facebook page. Click here!
2017 Events:
-6th Annual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run- Warwick, RI: 6/17/2017
To view photos from the event, please visit our Facebook page. Click here!
Visit our YouTube channel to view the video from the event. Please remember to subscribe and share!
To view photos from the event, visit our Facebook page. Click here!
-April Esophageal Cancer Awareness Video Slideshow
April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month. In 2017, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation put together a video slideshow of all the brave men and women who have been affected by esophageal cancer- those who have survived, those who have passed away and those who are currently fighting this horrific cancer.
2012-2016 Events:
-5th Annual Esophageal Cancer/Walk Run- Warwick City Park, Warwick, Rhode Island
The 5th Annual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run was held on Saturday June 18, 2016, 10 AM at Warwick City Park in Warwick, Rhode Island. The annual events aim to raise awareness of esophageal cancer while raising money for advocacy and esophageal research funding. The event was a great success and we thank all of the walkers, runners, sponsors, volunteers, fundraisers and donors for their support!
Rhode Island Names April ‘Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month’

Rep. Patricia Serpa, second from left, welcomes guests from The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation to the House on April 9, 2014.
Barbara Morse Silva and WJAR News Channel Ten team up with The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation to raise awareness of esophageal cancer. Watch the NBC Health Check report: Raising money, awareness for esophageal cancer:

NBC Health Check: Raising Money, Awareness For Esophageal Cancer Barbara Morse Silva, Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Barbara Morse Silva and WJAR News Channel Ten helped The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation raise awareness of esophageal cancer. Watch the NBC Health Check with Barbara Morse Silva below:
4th Annual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation hosted the 4th annual event on Saturday, June 20, 2015, 9 AM at Warwick City Park. Thank you to everyone who took part of the 4th Annual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run and helped to make the event such a great success. Please visit our Facebook page to view photos from the 4th Annual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run! Feel free to save, share and tag yourself or your friends/family members.
3rd Annual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run, Saturday, June 14, 2014. The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation would like to thank everyone who helped make the 3rd Annual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run such a great success! Walkers, runners, volunteers, sponsors and supporters! Thank you! Visit our Facebook page to check out photos from the event! Don’t forget to click the “like” and share buttons!
2nd Annual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation hosts the second annual event on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Check out some of the pictures from the event below:

2nd Annual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run
Saturday June 15, 2013
Warwick City Park
1st Annual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run in Rhode Island hosted by The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Warwick City Park! Check out some of the photos from the event:
*Esophageal adenocarcinoma is the fastest growing cancer in the United States: Copyright, 2012, Management of Barrett’s oesophagus and intramucosal oesophageal cancer: a review of recent development National Center for Biotechnology Information,S. National Library of Medicine. Bethesda MD, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3437535 Esophageal Cancer Research Funding: “A Snapshot of Esophageal Cancer” http://www.cancer.gov/researchandfunding/snapshots/esophageal
1 Key Statistics for Esophageal Cancer, The American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/cancer/esophagus-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
Make a tax-deductible donation today to The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation. Your support is essential to the success of this mission. The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation believes in advocacy and raising awareness of esophageal cancer, encouraging and advocating for early detection through regular screenings and funding esophageal cancer research …in hopes of a cure.™ -April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month! Before you know it! April will be right around the corner. Join The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation and help make a difference! Since 2011, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation has spread the word across the United States and internationally. You can join this mission! Help raise awareness, encourage early detection and fund research of esophageal cancer in your area! Click here to learn ways that you can get involved this coming April! //pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({google_ad_client: “ca-pub-6751739733107020”,
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