Diagnosis: Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
Date of Diagnosis: January 10, 2004 (@ age 38)

Health History:
01/10/04: Diagnosed; 99% of blood cells abnormal
01/23/04: Started on Gleevec (400mg/day)
05/01/04: Completed Wildflower Mtn Bike Tri (TnT)
05/25/04: Achieved complete hematologic response
06/15/04: Increased Gleevec to 600mg/day
10/01/04: FISH Test negative for abnormal cells
11/01/04: PCR Test negative (complete molecular response)
04/18/07: 28 Months PCR negative
06/23/07: Completed First Marathon (Anchorage – TnT)
01/10/09: Five year anniversary of diagnosis

Present
I have the LLS and TnT to thank for funding research of Gleevec, the breakthrough drug that extends my life and my quality of life, as well as for the tremendous services and support they continue to provide to patients. Endurance sports have been a large part of my life (I have completed over 100 triathlons prior to diagnosis). Thanks to Gleevec, I did not have to give up the sports I so enjoy.

Prior to Gleevec, CML patients faced either a bone marrow transplant or rugged chemo regimens with small chances of success. Today, though not a cure, most enjoy a major and enduring decrease in the number of cancer cells with few side effects.

Currently I take two pills a day with negligible side effects and sustained results. I have a great oncologist – Dr. Ravi Bhatia at City of Hope – who I see every quarter for check ups. My life is pretty much back to normal – Every blood cancer patient should have it this good!

Future
Because of the growing confidence in Gleevec and second-generation drugs, my doctors feel confident scaling back testing to every six months. And researchers are on both curative vaccines for CML AND ways to apply to apply the science behind Gleevec to other blood (and solid tumor) cancers. It’s a very exciting period with many reasons for hope!

Thank you for taking the challenge and for supporting LLS – I look forward to training with and supporting Team in Training!