Fixed Ops Magazine - 2020 Vol17 06 - 66

DIREC TO RY O F ADV E RT IS E R S
Dealers vs. Cancer - Leonard
Bellavia is a nationally renowned
dealership attorney. In 2016, at
age 58, Bellavia's yearly physical
revealed a slightly elevated PSA
level, a marker for prostate cancer. The doctor took a biopsy and ordered some imaging
tests. A few days later, he was told he had stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer, which had spread to his bones; he
had a year to live. It was suggested he get his affairs in
order, including winding down his practice.

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Bellavia Blatt

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He experienced the emotions you'd expect: elation, anger, survivor's guilt. He thought about suing the hospital
but took a different path. " I know Sloan Kettering does
a lot of good. So I called their senior attorney and asked
them to send a large check to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, " he says. " I told them, 'Either do the right thing, or
I will sue you.' " They did the right thing.

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Permashield

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Podium

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Realizing this must have happened for a reason, Bellavia contacted the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) and
asked how he could help. He was approved to spearhead
" Dealers vs. Cancer " nationwide. Each year since 2017,
Bellavia produces a classic car show in upstate New York
called " Cruisin' For The Cure " . This year it will be held
on September 20th at Windham Mountain Resort. Those
that contribute at least $50 by August 30th, shall receive .

Power Pusher / NuStar

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Revolution Parts

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He met with the president of the local bar association for
assistance in closing his Mineola-based law practice, the
largest firm representing franchised auto dealers in the
country in wrongful termination cases, then he spent a
month secretly boxing up his office. He applied to get
into a clinical trial for an experimental treatment at Sloan
Kettering but was rejected because his cancer was too
far advanced " my depression was profound and debilitating, " he says.
Then the salvation. One late afternoon, while cleaning out
his office, he took a call from the medical director of Sloan
Kettering's laboratory, who told Bellavia, " I have never had
to make a call like this, but I am so excited to tell you we
made a horrific mistake. We misread your biopsy. " Weeks
earlier, Bellavia's wife had asked the hospital to " appeal "
his diagnosis, a term that she was familiar with from her
husband's practice. " So we did, " the doctor said. " I can
assure you, you are not dying. " Bellavia did have lowgrade prostate cancer, but the finding that it had spread
throughout his body was false. His cancer was treatable
after all. " I recall saying 'Oh, my God' five times in a row, "
Bellavia says.

Sherwin-Williams

Page 61

If you are interested in making a donation, please reach
out to DealersvCancer@dealerlaw.com. To mail in a donation, please make checks payable to Dealers vs. Cancer
and mail to:

Weathertech

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Weave Workforce

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Bellavia Blatt, PC
200 Old country Rd.
Mineola, NY 11501

X-Time

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Fixed Ops Magazine - 2020 Vol17 06

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Fixed Ops Magazine - 2020 Vol17 06