SUNNY CARNEY
After a courageous 10 year fight battling Carcinoid Cancer, Sunny Carney, of Plum, passed peacefully on Saturday, November 3. She was married to her devoted husband, Mark; and was a loving mother to Austen, Logan and Nolan; daughter of Patricia Jennings and the late James J. Jennings; daughter-in-law of Dale and Dottie Carney; sister of Judy Phillips (Ray Jr.), Lynn Pesta (Teddy), Michael Jennings (Vicki Lynn), James Jennings (Sue), Joseph Jennings (Elizabeth), Sheila Fortes (Jim); sister-in-law of Craig Carney (Julia). She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews, and was a true friend and inspiration to many.
In addition to being an inspiration to family and friends Sunny inspired carcinoid cancer patients across the globe through her blog, and then her book "The Sunny Side of Cancer. She spoke at numerous cancer events locally sharing stories of her journey which led her from Basel, Switzerland to all of the top Carcinoid Cancer specialists here in the states. She was an advocate for better diagnosis of the disease and for insurance coverage of treatments. She fought with grace and dignity, never letting the pain inside challenge her faith or diminish her love for life.
Memorials may be made to "Carney Family Fund", c/o S&T Bank, 2190 Hulton Road, Verona, PA 15147.
Friends received Monday 7-9 p.m. and Tuesday 3-8 p.m. at Unity Community Church, 215 Unity Center Road, Plum, PA 15239.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Unity Community Church with Rev. Frank Deluce officiating. Arrangements entrusted to CHARLES W. TRENZ FUNERAL HOME, INC.
VIEW GUEST BOOK Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
After over a decade of suffering from Carcinoid Cancer, Sunny Jennings Carney has decided to fight back. She has currently undergone two proven treatments in Basel, Switzerland and is planning to return for two more. She is also planning on going to Houston, Texas for a six month period to undergo experimental treatments that look promising but are not FDA approved. She has exhausted all the FDA approved treatments here in the United States and will not accept that this is all there is for her. She has dedicated her fight to help others understand this rare cancer and to find successful treatments in the United States. Her strong faith in God and will to never quit has turned a 6 month life expectancy to over two years presently.

Below is an entry that was written by Sunny's husband Mark when she had her third bout. To become updated on her journey please enjoy her posts.

Please check back for updates and event information.

Sunny Carney Carcinoid Cancer Fund
C/o S & T Bank
2190 Hulton Road
Verona, PA 15147

Sunny's husband Mark tells their story...

A mother of three boys, a daughter, the baby sister to a large family, an aunt, a godmother to several, a trusted friend, an outreach volunteer, a business owner and my wife. Sunny Carney lives up to her name every time someone speaks to her; she is beautiful both in and out. She has been my biggest motivator, my rock and my inspiration in tough times, my biggest fan in good times, and most importantly my best friend. Told 14 years ago that having children may not be part of our future because of ovarian cancer, she kept the faith, and is a wonderful mother to our three sons- Austen, Logan, and Nolan. She is always ensuring that they know the Lord, love of life, kindness to others, hard work, and occasionally when to "shape up".

Her boundless energy, healthy lifestyle and positive attitude are infectious. She has served as president of our children’s PTA, organized committees that benefit those who are less fortunate in the community and led drives for those who have been caught up in unfortunate situations. She has done so much for others, usually without letting anyone ever know, I could not begin to list them. Her strong faith in God and modest upbringing has given her a sense of giving that only she can explain. When she successfully started her own photography business, she also started a non-profit division photographing family portraits for area families fighting cancer. Her friends say she is amazing and she simply shakes her head and wonders what all of the fuss is about.

Her mother, sisters, brothers and large extended family will tell you she is the one you can count on to lend an ear when needed and never judge. She was raised by her loving mother and father who was the warden of the Allegheny County Jail and actually spent most of her childhood in the residence connected to the jail. At a young age she witnessed more of life’s tragedies and obstacles through her neighbors, the prisoners, than most of us can imagine.

Although all of the aforementioned is remarkable it is not what makes her truly special. Sunny is a two time cancer survivor and now is currently fighting for a third time. After beating ovarian carcinoid cancer and undergoing serious surgery for carcinoid tumors in her right lung just three years ago, the carcinoid tumors returned in her lymph nodes, liver and bones. The size and proliferation throughout the liver of these tumors mandates immediate chemotherapy in four treatments over the next few months as well as monthly octreotide treatments. These painful treatments will hopefully stop the growth but are not a cure. There are numerous tumors in her spine, her skull, her hip, her leg, and her shoulder...all in the bones and she will wait on potential radiation to fight those.

What my wife has is Carcinoid Cancer Syndrome, an endocrine disease which is rare and spreads from organ to organ. As of right now the only known treatment for remission is administered by renowned clinics in Europe. However the treatment is not covered by our insurance. Our doctors have encouraged us to start raising money and matching grants could follow. Her lead oncologist strongly believes that Sunny would be a prime candidate to be a voice to get the message out regarding carcinoid cancer syndrome, bring this treatment to the United States and encourage approval from the FDA. Without this treatment, the tumors most likely will continue to metastasize in other organs and her fight will be ongoing. Sunny has set up The Sunny Carney Carcinoid Cancer Fund to support her treatments. She believes that once she beats this cancer she can make a difference to others also suffering from Carcinoid Cancer.

Mark A. Carney

Sunny Carney Carcinoid Cancer Fund
C/o S & T Bank
2190 Hulton Road
Verona, PA 15147







Monday, March 1, 2010

I received an email from my niece-in-law (nephew's wife) if that is a word. I is so beautiful and if I wrote it myself I could not say it any better. Today I have to go to Hillman Cancer Center to receive a treatment. I get so anxious when it's the day for this particular treatment because I don't want to go through the painful experience of vain hunting. This email came at the most perfect time because it really helped me to realize why I am doing all this and who I am doing it all for.


I
Believe...
That
just because two people argue,
It
doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't
argue,
It doesn't mean
they do love each other.

I
Believe...
That
we don't have to change friends if
We understand that friends
change.

I
Believe....
That no matter how good a friend
is,
they're going to hurt
you every once in a while
and you must forgive them for
that.

I
Believe...
That true friendship continues to
grow,
even over the
longest distance.
Same
goes for true love.

I
Believe...
That you can do something in an
instant
That will give
you heartache for life.

I
Believe....
That it's taking me a long
time
To become the person
I want to be.

I
Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones
with
Loving words. It may
be the last time you see them.

I
Believe....
That you can keep going long after you think you
can't.

I
Believe....
That we are responsible for
what
We do, no matter how
we feel.

I
Believe...
That either you control your attitude or it controls
you.

I
Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done
when it needs
to be done,
regardless of the consequences.

I
Believe....
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing
and have the best time.

I
Believe....
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when
you're down
will be the
ones to help you get back up.

I
Believe...
That sometimes when I'm
angry
I have the right to
be angry,
But that
doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I
Believe....
That maturity has more to do with what types of
experiences you've had
And what you've learned from them and less to do
with how many
birthdays you've
celebrated.

I
Believe....
That it isn't always
enough,
to be forgiven by
others.
Sometimes,
you have to learn to forgive yourself..

I
Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is
broken
the
world doesn't stop for your grief.

I

Believe....

That our background and

circumstances
may have
influenced who we are,
But, we are responsible for who we
become.

I
Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to
find
Out a secret. It
could change your life Forever.

I
Believe....
Two people can look at the exact
same
Thing and see
something totally different.

I
Believe....
That your life can be changed in a matter
of
Hours by people who
don't even know you.

I
Believe...
That even when you think you have no more to
give,
When a friend cries
out to you -
you will
find the strength to help.

I
Believe...
That credentials on the
wall
do not make you a
decent human
being.

I
Believe...
That the people you care about most in
life
are taken from you
too soon.

I decided to print out two copies of the above and hang one on my boys bathroom mirror for them to read and put one in my Bible. Thanks Dawn for the email.

Sunny