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In Memoriam: Brian Hill Webmaster 04-01-2026 04:43 AM
Co-Founder of the Oral Cancer Foundation and a Lifelong Advocate for Patients, Survivors, and Families

“Brian believed no one should face oral cancer alone. His legacy will live on through the lives he touched, the community he built, and the mission that continues in his honor.”

The Oral Cancer Foundation mourns the passing of Brian Hill, our co-founder and a tireless advocate for patients, survivors, and families affected by oral cancer.

Together with his late wife, Ingrid Hill, Brian founded the Oral Cancer Foundation with a mission grounded in compassion, education, advocacy, and support. What began as a deeply personal commitment grew into a lasting source of hope and guidance for countless individuals navigating one of life’s most difficult challenges.

Brian devoted much of his life to ensuring that people affected by oral cancer would never have to face the disease alone. Through the online support community at oralcancersupport.org, he helped create a trusted space where patients and caregivers could ask questions, share experiences, find encouragement, and connect with others who truly understood what they were going through. For many, that community became a lifeline.

His work was defined not only by dedication but also by humanity. Brian understood that oral cancer affects far more than just physical health. He recognized the fear, uncertainty, and emotional burden that often come with diagnosis and treatment, and he gave his time, energy, and heart to helping others move through those realities with dignity and support.

Brian’s legacy lives on in the foundation he helped build, in the community he helped foster, and in the many lives he touched through his kindness, leadership, and unwavering service. His contributions to the oral cancer community will continue to be felt for years to come.

In honor of Brian’s life and mission, Chester Deitz will continue leading the foundation forward, building on the work Brian began with renewed dedication to expanding research funding, increasing public awareness through community walks, and developing patient materials for those affected by oral cancer. This continued commitment reflects the values Brian championed and ensures that his vision for education, support, and advocacy will endure.

We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved Brian. We honor his life with profound gratitude and remain committed to carrying forward the mission he helped create.

Brian Hill will be remembered with respect, admiration, and lasting appreciation for the difference he made in the lives of so many. His legacy will endure through every patient supported, every family informed, and every step taken in the fight against oral cancer.

[img]https://oralcancerfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/brian-hill-featured-2026-scaled.jpg[/img]
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Introduce yourself
Re: quick introduction. ChrisCQ 03-30-2026 03:13 AM
Hello 69 BigBlock,


Welcome to the forums.

I hope you are recovering well from your surgery.

My two cents are those types of questions would best be answered by your doctors and / or a second opinion.

Perhaps it would help you weigh the decision to compile a list of your questions and meet again with oncologist to have them explain the relative risks of the options better?

If you are in the US, I’d ask if you are doing this at National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC). If you are in the US and you are not at a CCC, you may consider getting a second opinion at a CCC if feasible.

They may explain it better or have a different recommendation.

So far my lymph biopsies nodes came back clean (axillary—likely just inflammation reactive on PET/CT).

Have you had a PET?

My PET wasn’t until a while after surgery as my tumor was tiny, and micro invasive.

Side effect risks on both chemo and immunotherapy are highly personally variable, might be a crap shoot.

Maybe request them help you decide?

Maybe as you chew on the questions and read more up on the side effectcts and ask clarification questions to your care team you’ll arive at a more comfortable understanding of the risk and your situation?

Did they do HPV testing on it? Mine they did not, and I wished they did.

My Dad and Brother both had bad reactions to Chemo and immunotherapy like treatments (details obscured in exact regimen, both had Carboplatin)

Best wishes for a cancer free recovery for you and clarity of mind in deciding your course of action.

R/
CQ
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