Two lives crossing before they met
Vivian Gerges and John Hanna shared more of a history than either knew.
Vivian and John were both born in Egypt. Their families came to the United States through New York in the late 1970s, and both eventually grew up in Jersey City. The existing family history records that they attended the same grammar school, high school, and college without knowing one another.
The newspaper archive adds one vivid detail: at Dickinson High School, John was a senior while Vivian was a freshman. Their paths had already crossed, but their introduction came later. By June 1991, they had known each other for about two months after meeting at a party.
The Proposal That Made Newspaper History
John was 23. Vivian was 19. After considering skywriting, television, and radio, John chose a more personal public gesture: an advertisement in The Jersey Journal.
“Vivian,
Will you marry me?
Love,
John”
The advertisement appeared on June 5, 1991, framed with a heart. That morning, a delivery man arrived at Vivian’s workplace, the Kirby Company in North Arlington, with red roses, a newspaper, and a card telling her to turn to page 9.
Three days later, the paper preserved their story in a feature titled “A modest proposal—in the newspaper.” Vivian said yes.
View the full archival page
June 5, 1991 · Page 9
The Life They Built Together
Vivian and John married in New Jersey on July 24, 1993, and began building a family. They had two children early in their marriage and, as the existing family account describes it, grew up alongside them.
In November 1998, the Hanna family moved to Florida. Vivian worked as a physical therapist assistant, bringing care into her professional life as well as her home. She and Dr. Hanna later built Internal Medicine MD around a straightforward belief: patients should have options.
The chapters that followed were not simply a prelude to illness. They were a life: marriage, parenthood, work, service, and a shared commitment to helping people feel better.
The Woman Behind the Foundation
Those closest to Vivian describe generosity not as an occasional act, but as part of how she moved through the world. She supported multiple charities and made caring for others an ordinary practice.
She was, in the words already held by this family and Foundation, “the giver in every room she entered.” That spirit shaped her family, her work, and the practice she helped build with John.
“My happy place is watching people get better. It was hers too. We both truly believe in that.”
John Hanna, MD, Founder
A caregiver facing breast cancer
Vivian was married to a physician and had medical expertise close at hand. Her breast cancer was still discovered late.
The existing family account states that by the time the cancer was identified, it had already spread. Only a few months passed between the first sign that something was wrong and the family understanding what they were facing. Vivian passed three months after the cancer was found, in 2024.
Her experience is not presented as an accusation against any individual or a claim about why the cancer was found late. It is the painful fact that moved her family to focus on awareness, screening, and earlier access to care.
Turning loss into access for other women
The Vivian Hanna Foundation was founded by John Hanna, MD, in honor of Vivian. Its work continues the values that defined her life by opening more paths to breast cancer early detection and complete care across Tampa Bay.
The Foundation expands access to mammograms, diagnostic follow up, and surgical care for women who face cost as a barrier. Education, breast cancer awareness, and practical support help more women act earlier and stay connected to care when a screening finds something.
Vivian and John’s Timeline
Only dates established by the family account or the archival newspaper are included.
- Before 1991
Vivian Gerges and John Hanna grow up in Jersey City and attend some of the same schools without knowing one another.
- 1991
Vivian and John meet at a party.
- June 5, 1991
John proposes through an advertisement in The Jersey Journal.
- July 24, 1993
Vivian and John marry in New Jersey and begin building their family.
- November 1998
The Hanna family moves to Florida.
- A Life of Giving
Vivian works as a physical therapist assistant, supports charities, and helps build Internal Medicine MD with John.
- 2024
Vivian passes three months after her breast cancer is discovered late.
- Her Mission Today
Her life inspires the Vivian Hanna Foundation’s work in breast cancer awareness, early detection, and access to care.
From the Archives
The Jersey Journal preserved John’s unconventional proposal first as an advertisement, then as a human-interest feature. Select any image to enlarge the original page.
In every opportunity to find breast cancer earlier
Vivian’s story continues through women who receive awareness, education, screening access, diagnostic follow up, and support through the mission she inspired. The Foundation carries forward a life centered on family, care, generosity, and helping people get better.