In 2011, Guy Fieri's world completely changed when his younger sister Morgan Fieri passed away due to metastic melanoma at the age of 39. Diagnosed with cancer as a child, Morgan Fieri grew up looking up to older brother Guy while their family lived in Ferndale, California. The community rallied together to help support the entire family, and soon she recovered.
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What is Metastatic Melanoma?
According to the Cancer Center, "Metastatic melanoma occurs when the cancerous cells from the original tumor (primary tumor) get loose, travel through the lymph or blood circulation, and start a new tumor (metastatic tumor) somewhere else." It is difficult to treat, with the five-year survival rate being 66% if it spreads to the lymph nodes. If it spreads to a distant part of the body the survival rate drops to 27%.
Make sure to always check moles on your skin and contact a doctor if one is new or unusual in shape or color.
Morgan's Early Life
Morgan was active in school according to her obituary.
She graduated from Ferndale High School in 1989, and went on to attend Sacramento State, American River Jr. College and Cal Poly, Pomona where she earned her degree in Hospitality from in 1994
Soon after, her son Jules was born and Morgan became a massage therapist in Fairfax. She volunteered in Mexico and lived a conscious life, recycling, organic living, composting, and eating vegetarian. It's said that Guy Fieri, the Food Network star and famous chef of Flavortown wasn't the only cook in the kitchen. In fact, Morgan helped contribute to a number of Guy's cookbooks.
Guy Fieri's sister Morgan was also the founding director of Guy's foundation, The Guy Fieri Foundation for Inspiration and Imagination which was founded in 2010. Unfortunately after his little sister passed the foundation quietly shut down.
She was survived by her partner Annie Antepara and son Jules, who Guy and Lori took in after Morgan's death.
Today the Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives celeb honors his sister Morgan in a variety of ways. After her death Guy invited the Make-A-Wish Foundation to bring families to tapings of his show.
Miss you my sister Morgan. You continue to inspire us all. We love you! Namaste
He also married 101 same-sex couples in South Beach in honor of Morgan. The 101 was a tongue-in-cheek reference to then-Florida attorney general Pam Bondi as Cruella de Vil due to her anti-gay marriage views.
During the pandemic Guy Fieri has been helping out restaurant owners, raising nearly $25 million for restaurants.
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