Keeping his spirit alive

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Life was going well for Peter Hallinan back in 2000.
The Fox Chase native had married his college sweetheart, Tiffany, in February. Two months later, though, the newlywed’s life changed in a dramatic way. He was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.
In August 2002, Hallinan lost his fight with the tumor, called anaplastic oligodendroglioma. He was only 31.
Thomas and Carol Hallinan miss their only son terribly.
"It’s lonely without him," his mom said.
The Hallinans want their son’s spirit to live on, so they approached Dr. M. Sean Grady, chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery for the University of Pennsylvania Health System. The trio have decided to raise money for clinical research on the devastating disease.
They also want to create more awareness of the impact of brain tumors. Each year there are 190,000 people in the United States who are diagnosed with a brain tumor. It is the second-most-common cause of cancer death in people 15 to 34 years of age. There are 120 kinds of brain tumors.
The Hallinans believe that the federal government should increase funding to address the deadly illness.
"It’s so prevalent," Carol Hallinan said. "It’s not good. It’s hitting a lot of younger people."
The couple and the doctor are spearheading an event on Friday night at the Knowlton Mansion, at Rhawn Street and Verree Road. The fund-raising dinner is being called "For Pete’s Sake."
Tickets went on sale for $75, and the event is sold out. Organizers expect about 260 people to attend. They will have the opportunity to bid on items in live and silent auctions that include Waterford crystal, a trip to Colorado, crocheted baby gifts, a signed Flyers jersey and an Oriental rug. Sponsors have also donated money, and an advertising book has been filled.
All proceeds will go to support brain-tumor research at the University of Pennsylvania, specifically dedicated to exploring new treatments and a cure for anaplastic oligodendroglioma, which killed Peter.
The benefit will be an annual event.
"People have been wonderful," Mrs. Hallinan said. "The outpouring has been wonderful."
Already, the effort has raised more than $40,000. The Hallinans are amazed at that figure, considering this is their first time holding the fund-raiser.
"We thought we would do half of that in the first year. And we haven’t done the auction yet," she said. "Twenty dollars here and fifty dollars there — it adds up."
Peter Michael Hallinan was born on March 23, 1971, meaning the event will be held on what would have been his 36th birthday. He attended St. Cecilia Elementary School, Cardinal Dougherty High School and Temple University.
His mother described him as a gentle and loving person who enjoyed nature, and a good athlete who liked to play basketball, surf and take part in other water sports. He and his wife lived in Ocean City, N.J., in part because he wanted to be close to the water.
Peter had long wanted to drive a big rig and worked as a truck driver.
In the time leading to his wedding on Feb. 12, 2000, Peter had experienced headaches but thought it was because of the stress of planning the big day. However, he soon began to lose his peripheral vision and was later diagnosed with the tumor.
"That’s when all the horror started. It was a rough two years," his mom said. "I can’t tell you what the poor guy went through."
Peter underwent surgeries and chemotherapy treatments. The illness paralyzed him on the left side, forcing him to learn to walk again. His parents and wife took care of him, and they were comforted that some of his friends stayed in close contact during the ordeal. There were signs of hope, but a second tumor surfaced, and that’s the one that took his life.
As he struggled with the disease, Peter adopted a yellow Labrador retriever and named her Joanie. He also had a cat, Fonzie, and figured the two pets would get along because Joanie and Fonzie were always close on the television series Happy Days.
When Peter attended a support-group meeting, he wowed the group leader and the patients with a motivational speech.
"He had an unbelievable strong spirit," his mom said. "He persevered. And his faith never wavered." ••
For more information on the For Pete’s Sake charity, call Thomas and Carol Hallinan at 215-722-8371 or visit www.4petessake.net