04/01/2026
Phil Cammilleri’s cancer journey started with a bam – and it led him to a Wilmot Cancer Institute team he now refers to as Team BAMM BAMM.
After a fall out of bed, his mid-section was hurting. He thought maybe he had injured his ribs, so he saw his primary care doctor. Bloodwork showed Phil had a stage 4 grade B neuroendocrine tumor.
He started on a daily chemotherapy pill right away, as well as hormone therapy.
That’s where he met Team BAMM BAMM, an acronym he explains as:
B-Brenda, his nurse practitioner
A-Angela, his nurse
M-Maria “magnificent”, his doctor
M-McGreevy “magical,” his doctor’s last name
Team BAMM BAMM not only treated his cancer but also identified through testing that he had prostate cancer. They connected him with the Urologic Oncology team, and he had radiation therapy for that at Wilmot Cancer Institute’s Greece location. He got to ring the bell when he finished treatment. Around the same time, he also saw a nephrologist to ensure his kidneys remained healthy.
He has gotten to know many of the team members at Wilmot – from parking attendants to front desk staff to doctors and nurses. He’s also been sure to use resources available to him during his treatment journey. For example, he has had massages at the Pluta Integrative Oncology & Wellness Center, and he completed the YMCA Livestrong Program to keep up his physical strength.
He believes it’s important to be there for his family and friends despite his diagnoses, and he strives to share a little joy with others impacted by cancer, which he’s done by documenting his cancer journey on his Instagram page.
“I’m not a ‘why me’ person. I’m a believer that I’m an example to help others,” he says. “Cancer doesn't bring me down. Cancer enlightens my heart.”
