Phillip A. Tai Lauria
Honoring the loving memory of
Phillip A. Tai Lauria
1987 – 2018
Wilton, Connecticut
The Phillip A. Tai Lauria Fund for NET Research
Investing in research to find a cure for neuroendocrine cancer
Phillip A. Tai Lauria (Phil) passed at the age of 31 after losing his courageous seven-month battle with neuroendocrine cancer. He passed peacefully in the embrace of his parents, Phil Lauria and Elaine Tai-Lauria, and fiancée Kara Symeonides.
Faith and family were among the important priorities in Phil’s life. His love of Jesuit education took him from Fairfield College Preparatory School in Connecticut to Loyola University in Chicago where he studied communications with focus on digital media. His academic study and industry specific internships secured him a position at GroupM Mindshare upon graduation. He then joined ClearstreamTV (EMX). Throughout his career, Phil maintained strong friendships with his colleagues and classmates.
Phil loved getting together with family and friends for any excuse. He relished returning home to Connecticut in autumn to enjoy the colorful foliage, and in December to enjoy a “New England Christmas.” He also enjoyed living and working in Chicago, which he regarded as his second home after meeting Kara, the love of his life. In September 2017, Phillip and Kara travelled to Santorini, Greece where he asked Kara to marry him. Shortly thereafter, in November 2017, things took a shocking turn for the newly engaged couple when Phil was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer. Phil fought this difficult battle with fierce determination and almost supernatural strength.
Towards the final days of his life, during a conversation with his parents, Phil said “We need to find a cure for this cancer!” On the second anniversary of his passing, Phil and Elaine want to honor their son’s wish and channel philanthropic efforts toward finding a cure for NET cancer by establishing The Phillip A. Tai Lauria Fund for NET Research at the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NETRF) in Boston, MA.
The Phillip A. Tai Lauria Fund for NET Research will fund NETRF grants to scientists with promising research initiatives to advance understanding of neuroendocrine cancer, which remains poorly understood and underfunded, despite its growing incidence. The Lauria family has set a $100,000 fundraising goal to remember Phil and to support scientific research to improve treatments for neuroendocrine cancer patients. Their hope is to involve all of Phil’s family, friends and community in this meaningful and lasting effort.
NETRF is the leading private funder of NET cancer research and since 2005, has invested more than $30 million in neuroendocrine tumor research by leading scientists at renowned research institutions around the globe. NETRF is supported by charitable donations from individuals, foundations and third-party events.
To donate in memory of Phillip A. Tai Lauria
Donate online in memory of Phillip A. Tai Lauria
All donations to Phil’s Tribute Fund are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Or make checks payable to NETRF and mail to:
NET Research Foundation
31 St. James Avenue, Suite 365
Boston, MA 02116
For questions about making a gift to Phil’s Fund, please contact Development Coordinator, Laken Baird at laken.baird@netrf.org or call us at 617-946-1780.
