UPDATE: Cortina to Be Remembered Oct. 8

UPDATE: Sergio Cortina, 55, of North Cape May died Sept. 23. According to his obituary, his family will be celebrating his life at Two Mile Landing from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 8.   
NORTH CAPE MAY – Described as a “socialite of the town” by his daughter, Sergio Cortina, 55, is battling stage 4 colon cancer and his family is hoping to find a “good, holistic approach” that will boost his immune system and fight the disease.
“The diagnosis was a shock to all of us,” said Cortina’s daughter Sabrina Brill, who grew up in the area and now lives in Merchantville. “On Aug. 23, his whole life changed. He was having some random sharp pains and decided to check himself into the ER. Countless tests and hours later, the doctor comes in with the devastating news that he 99 percent has stage 4 colon cancer.
“On Aug. 28, those tests were confirmed,” she noted. “Shock and reality have long been setting in since that cold Wednesday morning. The disease is not localized, nor are we sure of how rapid it is progressing considering this just came out of nowhere. Doctors are looking grim at the outcomes, as with any stage 4 cancer patients.
“We want him to have a comfortable time while he is fighting, and need to get the best doctors to help him through this. Sergio is a great man with a strong character, but is in need of some urgent help.”
Because the doctors have different opinions on his prognosis, Brill said the family has decided to look for alternative holistic treatments. “I know stage 4 sounds terrible,” his daughter said, “but it can be cured.”
Treatment became complicated because the cancerous tumors have taken over his liver, which was already weak because of him being a “socialite,” his daughter said. “They were treating him with fentanyl and other narcotic drugs and he slept for three days. He didn’t eat. There were no infections so we asked the hospital to discharge him and through good food and vitamins, he’s already better and coming back to reality.”
The family found a treatment center called Hope 4 Cancer in Mexico that deals specifically with someone in his condition and works aggressively on the immune system fighting back. “At this point, we have no other option but to try the treatment,” Brill said. “This will cost $43,900 and we, his family, will tap out every single saving we have to give him a chance, but, unfortunately, it will not equate to that amount.
“We have never been the type of family to ask for a handout or ask for somebody to help us, but we will do anything to give him a chance to be in our lives for just a little longer if possible,” she said. “But more than anything, he wants to fight. He wants to try to be around longer. This is what he wants.”
Already, 5 West Pub, 3729 Bayshore Rd., held a fundraiser Sept. 7 where staff donated $2,760 in tips which will be matched by the pub owners to be used toward medical and hospital costs.
The Red Brick Ale House, 3832 Bayshore Rd., is having a beef and beer fundraiser Sept. 24. In addition, the family has started a GoFundMe campaign for donations at https://www.gofundme.com/save-big-serg. About $5,000 has been donated so far.
“Because he was such a socialite, he visited a lot of the bars around town and everyone knew him,” Brill said. “He took care of everyone when he was there, and they care for him, love him, and know him.”
Cortina has lived in the area for more than 30 years and owned Cortina Painting, Cape May. His three children were raised in the area, according to his daughter. He has one granddaughter.
“We all grew up here, and have tried to move up a bit to a more year-round economy,” Brill said, noting she has a food truck called “Not Your Momma’s Tacos” in the Cherry Hill area. She is donating 75 percent of her proceeds toward her father’s care.
“Thank you so much to everyone who has donated or sent prayers, well wishes, phone calls, and text messages. Our appreciation can never be described in two words,” she added.
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.