Andrew Ciardelli of Milford stands next to the blue truck that was recently added to his company's fleet of delivery vehicles to call attention to colorectal cancer. Courtesy photo/Ciardelli Fuel Company

MILFORD – Having beaten colorectal cancer last year, Andrew Ciardelli, co-owner of Ciardelli Fuel Company, is in the process of raising $20,000 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

To accomplish this, five cents of every gallon of fuel that is sold will go to Dana-Farber. A blue truck has also been added to the business’ fleet of delivery vehicles representing the color of colorectal cancer.

Ciardelli said his first symptoms arose about a year-and-a-half ago. Initially diagnosed with hemroids, his condition began to rapidly deteriorate during a hunting trip in October 2023.

After returning home, he went to see a gastroenterologist who discovered an 11-centimeter tumor and diagnosed Ciardelli with Stage 3 colorectal cancer.

“It was a very advanced stage,” said Ciardelli.

However, he said there was no family history of colorectal cancer.

“I didn’t know what colorectal cancer was,” he said.

Ciardelli began treatment at Dana-Farber in February 2024. This involved six weeks of radiation and eight months of chemotherapy.

Despite not feeling well most days, he continued to coach his children’s baseball team and operate his fuel business with his brother Matthew.

Following treatment, Ciardelli’s doctors learned that the tumor had not gone away; however, it was smaller.

At that point, surgery was the only option. In September 2024, Ciardelli put his trust in Dr. Joel Goldberg of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Although two surgeries were required, Goldberg did not disappoint and was able to resect the remainder of the tumor.

“He, in my opinion, saved my life,” said Ciardelli.

Now in remission, Ciardelli said he continues to coach baseball and still goes hunting and skiing.

According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that 154,270 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year. It also estimated that 52,900 patients will die from the disease, which continues to be the fourth most common cancer in the U.S.