If you know Steve Caruso, you know that he is a man of relentless passion. When he's not at the dealership selling cars or playing with his three grandchildren, he's diving deeply into a project of his own, whether a YouTube home renovation or a tanning chair that rotates with the sun.

Through challenging times, Steve always persists, maintaining a positive attitude yet always striving for improvement. He has inspired these values in his four sons and many others across more than a decade of coaching football. With as many years playing collegiate and semi-pro football, he is no stranger to a fight. However, in the current fight for his life, Steve needs a team now more than ever.

On March 10, 2026, a CT scan revealed a 4cm pancreatic head mass, confirmed one week later as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). While this diagnosis has one of the poorest survival rates among solid tumor malignancies, doctors currently believe that Steve is a candidate for curative treatment. Yet just 30-40% of patients in Steve's situation are alive five years later.

Steve will undergo 3-6 months of chemotherapy (FOLFIRINOX) before a Whipple procedure that seeks to remove the head of the pancreas, duodenum, distal common bile duct, and gallbladder then reconstruct the GI tract by connecting remaining structures. After a brief recovery period, postoperative chemotherapy is likely.

Through treatment, Steve will be unable to work, relying on his wife Rita's income to cover all expenses. Many of the tests and medications that give Steve the best possible chance at survival are commonly denied by insurance, with tens of thousands in likely out-of-pocket costs. We are asking that you please consider donating any amount you can spare to ensure that Steve has the support necessary to beat pancreatic cancer.