Medical Hero Spotlight: Katie Doble & Her Caregivers: Facing Ocular Melanoma

katie doble medical hero spotlight
Diagnosed with Ocular Melanoma

In 2013, Katie Doble visited her ophthalmologist after experiencing vision issues in her left eye. She was immediately referred to a retina specialist who diagnosed her with ocular melanoma. Thankfully, a full body scan revealed the cancer was nowhere else in her body. Katie underwent a week of radiation plaque therapy to treat the tumor inside her eyeball, which resulted in permanent loss of vision in that eye. During treatment, her doctors biopsied her cells and categorized her cancer as stage 1A, meaning she had less than a 2% chance of metastases. Still, it was recommended she have biannual liver ultrasounds and chest x-rays in case her cancer spread.

Two days before Thanksgiving the following year, at 32 years old, Katie’s ultrasound showed multiple tumors in her liver.

“On Thanksgiving morning, my dad flew to Denver so he could be with me the following day at the liver biopsy that would confirm my diagnosis. Nick, my boyfriend at the time, had been planning to propose to me that day and was warned by family members he might want to hold off because of my diagnosis,” Katie recalls. “I found out later that he told them my cancer changed nothing; I was still the girl he wanted to marry and support. I won the husband lottery.”

On Thanksgiving Day, Nick and Katie got engaged. The following day, a biopsy of her liver confirmed Katie’s ocular melanoma had metastasized. “This would have been a difficult diagnosis for anyone, but the news hit my family particularly hard because my mom passed away from pancreatic cancer when I was 15,” Katie says.

Starting Treatment: Clinical Trials

The oncologist who diagnosed Katie advised against clinical trials claiming they would be very expensive. The one treatment option available by the FDA would have bought Katie 16 months of life. 

“After meeting with that oncologist, my dad got on the phone with doctors across the country, looking for specialists,” Katie says. Her father, Dr. Jim Ortman, presented Katie’s case to the tumor board at his hospital and was referred by a doctor to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC, where a couple of clinical trials for ocular melanoma were taking place. In early 2015, Katie enrolled in her first clinical trial in New York for a medication called trametinib.

During her treatment, Katie’s family developed a schedule where they made sure someone was always with her for scans or appointments. “It was important to figure out how to support me without overburdening one member of the family,” Katie says. When able, Katie’s siblings attended appointments, as well as Nick and Dr. Ortman. In the five weeks she was required to stay in New York for treatment, she had nine visitors.

Six months after starting treatment, scans revealed growth and Katie was moved to the second arm of the trial, adding another drug. Additional growth in the following scan two months later eliminated Katie from the trial completely. However, the Doble family wasn’t discouraged.

“In 2014, I went from no tumors to 12 tumors in the span of six months. Taking trametinib didn’t shrink my tumors, but it did buy us more time,” Katie notes.

With cancer, it’s important as a patient and caregiver to develop a plan with your doctors for the next steps should your current treatment not be effective. While Katie was in New York, Dr. Ortman was working behind-the-scenes with her doctors to understand treatment options going forward.

After her first clinical trial, Katie was excited to get a break in treatment and worked to regain some of the 30 pounds she had lost. Shortly after returning to Denver, she enrolled in a second study at UCHealth in Colorado but was quickly removed from the trial when the side effects were too intense. It was determined the doctors would perform a targeted radioembolization on half of her liver, leaving the other half untreated as a baseline so they could see how future systemic treatments were working. A third clinical trial, also at UCHealth, was short-lived and the other half of Katie’s liver was embolized. The embolization stabilized Katie’s liver for 3.5 years.

In 2018, Katie’s treatment journey continued when she presented with stroke-like symptoms. Although never confirmed by biopsy, her doctors suspected a brain tumor. Katie underwent a Gamma Knife procedure, which was successful. Then, in 2020, Katie experienced a major recurrence with tumors in her liver.

Katie’s doctors recommended she start TIL therapy at UPMC in Pittsburgh. Although TIL therapy is seen by many as a relatively new treatment, it has been developed and improved over the last several decades. In fact, Dr. Ortman recalls that his late wife was slated to start what he believed to be an early version of TIL therapy before she passed away. Nearly 25 years later, the same treatment would save Katie’s life.

“For me, TIL therapy was incredibly effective. Within a year, nearly all my tumors had disappeared or shrunk besides one, which we jokingly named Uncle Fester as my doctor referred to it as the ‘festering problem,’” Katie recalls. In 2021, Katie had major surgery to remove ½ of her liver, including ‘Uncle Fester’. Upon waking, she was told she had No Evidence of Disease (NED).

Dr. Jim Ortman, Physician & Caregiver

Since the beginning, Katie’s father, Dr. Jim Ortman, and her husband, Nick Doble, have provided unique but equally important support. As an Internist, Dr. Ortman helped research treatment options and navigate the healthcare system. As her partner, Nick provided the emotional support and the day-to-day caregiving Katie needed during treatments.

“When Katie had her liver biopsy in Colorado, the pathologist and I looked at the black tissue and I could immediately tell it was melanoma; it was devastating,” Dr. Ortman recalls.

From her initial diagnosis, Katie’s father was doing extensive research to find the best specialists and treatment options for Katie. He advocated for her to begin participating in clinical trials and helped relay any symptoms or questions she had to her care team.

As Katie and her father navigated Western medicine for ocular melanoma together, Katie’s decision to seek out complementary treatments alongside the standard medications became a point of discussion between the two.

“I started seeing a nutritionist and taking supplements and my dad was skeptical of this type of medicine,” Katie remembers. Eventually, Dr. Ortman accompanied Katie to an appointment and the two had a positive conversation about the importance of nutrition when battling cancer. “As a cancer patient, you lose control over much of your life. My nutritionist really helped improve my relationship with food during this time. From experience, I know that chemotherapy hurts. Even if the supplements weren’t helping, they ultimately weren’t hurting me and gave me back some control over my life,” Katie says.

Nick Doble, Husband & Caregiver
Nick Doble had known of Katie’s cancer since they met in 2013. “When it metastasized to her liver, there was never a thought that we should reconsider our relationship,” Nick says. “All I knew was that I wanted to be with her and support her throughout her treatment.”

Nick admits to experiencing a learning curve when it came to understanding Katie’s diagnosis and treatment options, something most loved ones feel early on when emotions are high, and they are receiving an influx of new information. Growing up in the UK, Nick notes that he was much less familiar with clinical research and how to find a trial. “I was so grateful to Jim for the research he was doing and the knowledge he already has as someone in the medical field,” Nick remembers.

As her spouse and caregiver, Nick tried to keep Katie positive during her treatments and provide what she needed most on any given day, whether that was listening, giving her space, or providing a distraction (like the time he caved when she pulled the cancer card to get a dog). During TIL therapy, Katie and Nick branded themselves “the increDOBLES.”

“There were a lot of difficult discussions Nick and I were having that couples our age don’t have to think about, including end of life care and wills,” Katie says. Katie chose to appoint both Nick and Dr. Ortman as her power of attorney so the burden would not fall on one person alone.

As a caregiver, Nick advises others in positions like his to make sure to balance your own wellness and mental health to support your loved one. “For me, exercise has been a great outlet and form of self-care,” Nick says. “It’s so important to find support whether that’s by therapy or talking to others.”

Advocacy Work & Advice

Katie was a recipient of the 2017 Courage Award at the Melanoma Research Foundation’s Wings of Hope Gala where she had her first public speaking engagement discussing her cancer. The experience motivated Katie to share her story and begin participating in other advocacy projects. Dr. Ortman and Katie shared the father/daughter – doctor/patient perspective at the Colorado Cancer Coalition in 2019. In 2021, Katie received the Outliving It Award from First Descents, a non-profit that provides the healing power of adventures to young adults and caregivers facing cancer and MS.

“I know my cancer journey is a story of hope, which I’m grateful for, but it also comes with a lot of wisdom and knowledge I can share with others because of my dad,” Katie says. “Without him and Nick, I wouldn’t be here today.”

When it comes to sharing advice about getting involved in clinical trials and navigating treatment, Katie and Dr. Ortman have a wealth of information from their experiences.

“I believe in the importance of getting a second opinion and always having a Plan B when it comes to treatment,” Katie shares. “There is no room for ego from doctors when a patient is fighting for their life, it’s not personal. If it weren’t for the second opinion I got, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Dr. Ortman advises patients who may be interested in joining a clinical trial to speak with their care team or oncologist to see if they are eligible or if they have any recommendations.

Additional Resources:

https://www.ocularmelanoma.org/basics-of-om
https://futurehappyself.com/
https://melanoma.org/
https://clinicaltrials.gov/

To search for medical conditions in a specific location, visit our Search Clinical Trials page.

To stay informed about clinical trials, visit our Resources page.

For volunteer opportunities with CISCRP, visit our Volunteer page.

Written by Lindsey Elliott, Marketing & Communications Manager, CISCRP | lelliott@ciscrp.org

Medical Hero Spotlight: Allison Kuban, Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial Participant

allison kuban medical hero spotlight
Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer

In 2017, Allison Kuban had just returned from a week-long trip to France with her boyfriend when she started experiencing intense stomach pain, fatigue, and rapid weight loss.

After seeing several doctors, Allison was awaiting test results when her stomach pain became so severe that she went to the ER to be seen immediately. Doctors at the hospital initially suspected she had a form of endocrine cancer but weren’t sure. Two days later, on her 31st birthday, Allison found out she had Pancreatic cancer. 

Allison sought out a second opinion who confirmed this diagnosis and determined her cancer was stage-4, since it had metastasized to her liver. She began a regimen of chemotherapy immediately, going for treatment every two weeks that she received through a port in her chest. Allison stayed on chemo for seven months, struggling with the side effects from the drugs, which left her drained physically and too sick to continue.

“Chemo was keeping everything stable, but the side effects were so severe,” Allison says. “I realized the chemo might actually kill me before the cancer did. I wanted a higher quality of life instead of just trying to extend it. I was willing to try anything.”
Finding a Clinical Trial

One of Allison’s doctors suggested sending a biopsy of her tumor to a lab for genetic testing. If the tests could find the genetic mutation that was causing her cancer, Allison could then be matched with the right medication to target the mutation. During this time, Allison continued with her chemo treatments.

Luckily, Allison’s testing identified her specific genetic mutation. By fate, a relative of Allison’s was at a seminar for pancreatic cancer and met a doctor who knew of an opening in a trial for her mutation at MD Anderson.

“Treatment totally changed for me in a matter of days,” Allison recalls. “I had been on infusions, which were switched to two pills in the morning and two pills at night. After three months, I did a staging scan and my tumors had shrunk by 38%. As of today, they have shrunk over 70%.”

Allison started the clinical trial in 2018 and has remained on it for five years. She visits MD Anderson for regular bloodwork and scans to monitor her cancer. Although she lives about an hour away from the hospital, the pharmaceutical company running the clinical trial reimburses all her travel expenses.

“I didn’t think much about cancer before my diagnosis and knew nothing about clinical trials. At the time, I was so sick that I leaned on my caregivers for help researching and finding resources. If anything, caregivers for patients are the ones who should be made familiar with clinical research and the different treatments available. When you’re the actual patient, you just want to get through it and keep yourself alive,” Allison says.

In reflection, Allison wishes she had known about clinical trials when she was first diagnosed. “I likely would not have opted to do chemo if I knew there was an alternative option for me. Without my doctor, I likely wouldn’t have even done the genetic testing. Now, I tell everyone I know about it.”

Advocacy Work & Advice

After her initial diagnosis, Allison began getting involved with support groups through her hospital and other pancreatic cancer organizations. As an advocate for pancreatic cancer, she has also recently published a book about her experience and treatment, Like A Needle In A Haystack: My Survival from Stage-4 Pancreatic Cancer.

To other patients considering a clinical trial, Allison advises them to stay positive, and keep searching for a trial that is the right fit for them. Even if a study you participate in doesn’t work, your data is helping advance research to fight and cure diseases. “The traditional form of treatment with stage-4 cancer is chemotherapy, and doctors often don’t advise taking risks since you don’t have a lot of time,” Allison says. “For me that risk was worth it, and it could be for you too.”

Additional Resources:

https://pancan.org/
Read Allison’s book, available on Amazon here.

To search for medical conditions in a specific location, visit our Search Clinical Trials page.

To stay informed about clinical trials, visit our Resources page.

For volunteer opportunities with CISCRP, visit our Volunteer page.

Written by Lindsey Elliott, Marketing & Communications Manager, CISCRP | lelliott@ciscrp.org

Medical Hero Spotlight: Amy Gietzen, Scleroderma Patient Advocate

Scleroderma Symptoms

Amy Gietzen was 19 years old and in her second semester of nursing school at Trocaire College as a dietary supervisor when she started experiencing stiffness, swollen joints in her fingers and wrist, and sensitivity to cold and heat. Concerned, she underwent testing at her doctor’s office, which revealed she had systemic scleroderma, a rare degenerative autoimmune disease. “At that time, I had no idea what scleroderma was or even how to spell it,” Amy recalls. “I tried looking for more information online and resources were limited. My doctor told me to begin getting my affairs in order, this disease kills.”

Amy was devastated by her diagnosis and frustrated by the lack of care options in her city, which had no scleroderma specialists. Her doctors in Buffalo, NY, were only able to monitor her symptoms, which were progressing steadily. Amy started experiencing pulmonary fibrosis, Raynaud’s disease in her hands, trouble swallowing, and other complications.

“I wanted to be more proactive in my treatment, so I did some research and found a specialist in Pittsburgh, PA,” Amy says. “I felt so relieved and excited at my first appointment when everyone there knew about scleroderma and were incredibly informative and helpful.” Amy has been working closely with her care team in Pittsburgh ever since.

Starting Treatment

Researchers are still unsure what causes scleroderma to manifest, and there is no treatment that can cure or stop the overproduction of collagen that is characteristic of scleroderma. The condition affects the skin, vascular system, capillaries, blood vessels, and other organs like the heart and lungs. Each person living with scleroderma is affected differently, which makes it difficult to designate a standard of care treatment for all patients.

“When I was diagnosed 20 years ago, there was one medication that they gave everyone with scleroderma because there was evidence that it did help symptoms for some patients,” Amy says. “I was on that treatment for about 10 years before it became ineffective for me. Today, there are new medications and treatments for other comorbidities.”

After stopping the first treatment, Amy tried a form of chemotherapy that, for a time, helped improve her skin elasticity and her breathing issues. She then stayed on a treatment that was administered monthly by IV for seven years. Today, Amy takes a biologic medication which has helped increase her flexibility and mobility. Through these treatments, symptoms of scleroderma that affect Amy’s skin have remained under control. With her care team in Pittsburgh and her rheumatologist in Buffalo, Amy has been able to coordinate treatment plans that can be done at home.

Advocacy Work & Clinical Research Participation

Amy’s advocacy work began with her own independent research for resources. On Facebook and Myspace, she found other patients and support groups on the local and national level. She began attending meetings, but soon felt isolated when she realized there was no programming geared towards young adults with scleroderma. This experience inspired Amy to start her own Facebook group, Scleroderma Superstarz. “After starting the group online, I started accepting speaking engagements and talking about my journey with others. Through the National Scleroderma Foundation, I started the young adult virtual group, SYNC,” Amy shares.

SYNC meets every other month via Zoom and is designed for patients ages 18-40, with young adult panel sessions that focus on relevant topics like dating, working, and navigating social gathering with scleroderma. “I’ve recently handed the program over to two younger leaders, but I’m very proud of my work with the program,” Amy says.

Amy is passionate about clinical research and does what she can to participate. “At this point in my disease, I am not eligible for most clinical trials. I have applied for several but was not accepted because I’ve been living with scleroderma for so long,” Amy notes. “I do think it’s important that patients participate in clinical research when they can, but they should also understand what they participate in.”

Despite her ineligibility for clinical trials that involve medications, Amy has submitted x-rays of her lungs, as well as blood and urine samples for research. Amy is an advocate for finding an easier way to disseminate research results so patients have access and can understand them. In addition to her advocacy work, Amy completes research surveys detailing her disease symptoms, joins focus groups for research organizations, and serves on several patient advisory boards to help make clinical research more accessible to patients.

Amy also shares from her learned experience the importance of improving communication between patients and research teams during a clinical trial. “Patients need more opportunities to communicate their experiences and ask questions to those who are developing and conducting the study.”

“One of my greatest accomplishments as an advocate has been my work with the Steffens Scleroderma Foundation in Albany, NY,” Amy shares. For the last five years, Amy has served as a keynote speaker at an educational event where medical students from partnering colleges attend and meet scleroderma patients. This event teaches students how to practice collaborative care and gives upcoming healthcare professionals first-hand knowledge of scleroderma, something critically needed for improving the diagnosis and treatment of scleroderma patients.

“One of the biggest challenges the scleroderma community faces is building awareness and making it a household name. If we could get the notoriety that other diseases have, that would be a big help for research funding.”
The Waiting Room Entertainment Group

A current initiative Amy is working on is the formation of a group with other advocates in the scleroderma community, with the aim to share resources and bridge gaps currently existing for scleroderma patients. Alongside her co-founders, Amy has helped bring The Waiting Room Entertainment to life. The group has launched several initiatives, including a YouTube channel that interviews other organizations that provide disease-specific resources and answers complex questions patients may be facing like how to fill out adult disability forms, how to transition from pediatric to adult care, or how to advocate to your doctors. Additionally, Amy and the other co-founders have started a social club where patients can meet, connect, and network with each other. Jacob’s Hugs, another service the Waiting Room Entertainment provides, was coined after a close friend and prominent advocate in the scleroderma community passed away. The Waiting Room Entertainment developed a registry where patients can list two next of kin contacts who can then notify the group if a patient’s medical status changes or they pass away so the community can mourn and honor their life. “It’s a community-based end-of-life service where we work to honor scleroderma patients,” Amy says. Newly founded, The Waiting Room Entertainment has various initiatives planned to keep an eye on.

The Future of Healthcare

In years to come, Amy hopes to see major changes in the healthcare industry that will improve outcomes for patients living with rare diseases like herself. Better access to care, diversified healthcare services, clinical trial program improvements, and potential cures for rare diseases like scleroderma are all a possibility.

“The medical universe is vast and complex with moving parts of all shapes and sizes. The one thing that is constant is that without clinical trials and the participation of patients, proper treatments for diseases would be nonexistent,” Amy reflects. “Building a bridge to oversee both is the way to achieve success, and brick by brick we are laying the foundation for a solid pathway to medical breakthroughs!”

Additional Resources:

https://www.youtube.com/@thewaitingroomentertainment
https://scleroderma.org/
Amy’s Instagram: @sclerostarz

To search for medical conditions in a specific location, visit our Search Clinical Trials page.

To stay informed about clinical trials, visit our Resources page.

For volunteer opportunities with CISCRP, visit our Volunteer page.

Written by Lindsey Elliott, Marketing & Communications Manager, CISCRP | lelliott@ciscrp.org

Medical Hero Spotlight: Shira Kaplan-Walker, Lupus Patient Advocate

Finding a Diagnosis

The night before the birth of her third child, Shira remembers feeling like something was not right. The epidural she received in the hospital didn’t relieve the pain as they had in her previous births. After the birth, Shira suffered from horrible headaches and was so fatigued that she couldn’t move her head off the pillow. “I realize now I was experiencing a lupus flare but didn’t know it at the time.”

Shira visited the ER several days after leaving the hospital, assuming her headaches were caused by the epidural. Doctors in the ER were skeptical of her symptoms, making Shira feel isolated and confused. For the next 2.5 years, Shira went to many specialists trying to get answers for her condition. She recalls feeling like “It was a living hell”. Reflecting on her experience, Shira believes that there were so many missed opportunities to be diagnosed earlier. “If I had been treated sooner, there would have been far less damage to my body. It’s incredibly frustrating.”

Shira’s various symptoms included numbing in both of her hands below the wrist, random shooting aches and pains, extreme fatigue, headaches, and her face swelling. She had to cope with managing these symptoms while struggling to find the necessary medical treatment.

 “Lupus can cause ‘brain fog’ and it is very hard to navigate the healthcare system while in the middle of an intense flare-up unable to think straight. Being in so much pain and having doctors not believe me at every appointment made me start to question if my symptoms were in my own head.” Shira started seeing a psychiatrist after being led to believe that her symptoms were psychosomatic.

As months past, Shira’s symptoms continued to increase, and her health continued to decline. On Thanksgiving, two years after her son was born, Shira was so drained she could barely make it up the stairs in her parent’s home and had no appetite for the food that she had waited all year to enjoy. On December 3, 2013, Shira’s symptoms came to a head. “I walked my daughter to her school carpool and came back inside feeling awful and not breathing well. The last thing I remember is getting into an ambulance.”

Shira spent 10 days in the ICU and over a month in the hospital. Her kidneys had shut down and doctors made the decision to intubate her. When she woke up, Shira’s mother and her care team told her they believed she had lupus. “That moment was such a relief for me. I finally had answers and my doctors finally believed me.”

Living With Lupus

Shira began treatment for lupus while in the hospital. She was started on a high dose of steroids, an immunosuppressant, and other medications to treat her lupus flare. Shira was seeing many doctors including a Rheumatologist, Nephrologist, Hematologist, Gastroenterologist and Neurologist. She continued her treatment in an acute rehab and then sub-acute rehab facility for a month where she had to regain her strength and relearn skills she had lost during her hospital stay, like walking and other physical activities. This was a difficult experience for her family, including her children who at that time were 2.5, 5, and 7 years old. 

“We needed a lot of help to ensure my children would be able to maintain their daily routines and function physically and emotionally during my treatments. I’m so lucky I had such a strong support system and the encouragement of my family and community during this difficult time.”

After being released from rehab, Shira began readjusting to her daily life while living with lupus. She continued to see Dr. Anca Askanase, the head of the Lupus Center at Columbia Presbyterian and her attending doctor from when she had been hospitalized. She spent the next year attending doctors appointments, outpatient occupational and physical therapy, and trying to find the right combination of medications to keep her symptoms under control. Since her diagnosis, Shira has faced additional complications and hospitalizations. In 2017, Shira was hospitalized for a week with a medication-induced liver injury, which was incredibly unusual considering the combination of medications she was taking. Out of an abundance of caution, her doctor switched her immunosuppressant to avoid further damage to her liver. In 2018, she was again hospitalized when she suffered a seizure and her husband found her unresponsive. Doctors added a seizure medication to her regimen. Over the next year, Shira tried three different seizure medications until finding the right one. At the same time, she began suffering from neurocognitive deficits far beyond her typical lupus brain fog. “I couldn’t understand what people were saying to me anymore, it was scary. I knew I had to advocate for myself because I knew something wasn’t right.” Shira recalls. After requesting to switch her immunosuppressant back to her original medication, her neurocognitive difficulties improved significantly within two weeks. Since her diagnosis, Shira has endured many tests and procedures including a kidney biopsy, two liver biopsies, a spinal tap, EEGs, and numerous MRIs and CT scans.

Shira feels incredibly blessed to have Dr. Anca Askanase as her rheumatologist who trusts that Shira knows her body best and spends time addressing whatever health issues arise.

Drawn to Advocacy

Shira chose to use her experience to become an advocate for lupus patients. “I grew up in a family of activists and attended many political and social protests and rallies. Becoming a lupus advocate was natural for me,” Shira says. She started her advocacy work after seeing a Facebook ad for a lupus summit in Washington D.C. Her experience at this summit was positive, allowing her the opportunity to speak with other lupus patients, share their daily struggles, support each other, and meet with elected officials.

After the summit, Shira became a community ambassador for lupus. She has been invited to multiple speaking engagements and has attended three advocacy conferences. In 2016, she became an annual speaker at Columbia Medical School for second-year medical students.

Clinical Trial Participation

From the very beginning, Shira’s doctors asked if she would be interested in participating in some ongoing clinical research studies related to lupus. These studies involved submitting bloodwork and filling out questionnaires about her health. In more recent years, Shira became more involved in clinical trials. “My doctor recommended I participate in an ongoing trial that was testing whether stimulation of the vagus nerve would reduce the inflammation in the body of someone with lupus. After asking questions and discussing it with my doctor and family, I agreed.” Since her first clinical trial, Shira has participated in several other studies, having very positive experiences with the care team in each study.

 

Shira was able to combine her passion for clinical research with her advocacy work when she joined PALS as an advocate. PALS is a patient-to-patient educational program that shares information about clinical trials and how to make an informed decision before deciding to participate in one. Along with other patients, Shira was trained by five leading rheumatologists in the field of lupus about the disease, how to answer common questions, and all aspects of the clinical trial process.

“It’s incredible being a part of this group and learning just how many clinical trials and organizations are working to save the lives of people like me.”

When it comes to participation in clinical trials, Shira is motivated to further promote the discovery of new medications and therapies for people living with lupus. She sums up her belief in self-advocacy and working to achieve better medicine for all with a quote from her faith that has guided her throughout her medical journey:

‘If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?’
– Rabbi Hillel

Additional Resources:

https://www.lupusresearch.org/

To search for medical conditions in a specific location, visit our Search Clinical Trials page.

To stay informed about clinical trials, visit our Resources page.

Volunteer opportunities with CISCRP, visit our Volunteer page.

Written by Lindsey Elliott, Marketing & Communications Manager, CISCRP | lelliott@ciscrp.org

Medical Hero Spotlight: Sharan Khela, Crohn’s Disease Patient Advocate

Struggling with Crohn’s Disease

Sharan Khela had no prior knowledge of IBD or Crohn’s when she received a Crohn’s disease diagnosis in 2002. Coming from a Punjabi, Sikh family, her diagnosis came as a relief mixed with confusion and uncertainty for both her and her family. Very little was offered in terms of education and no efforts were made to involve an interpreter for her parents to accommodate the language barrier.

Sharan’s Pediatric team started her on enteral nutrition but failing this the next step was a course of Prednisolone, a steroid medication to combat the symptoms of her Crohn’s. Since steroids are meant as a temporary treatment option, Sharan was then recommended to have surgery a year after being diagnosed in 2003. Her Gastroenterologist (GI) felt that this would be the best option long term and although biologics were mentioned at the time, Sharan’s doctor felt that approval would be difficult for a moderate case. After her surgery, she remained on medication for several years and this allowed for her to continue with school as normal. However, things took a turn when it came to transitioning her care from pediatric to adult care.

Sharan started to flare soon after transitioning to adult care and her new GI only ever offered a course of Prednisolone as a treatment option. Although meant to be a temporary treatment, she continued to be on a high dose of steroids for almost 5 years.

“I felt like my quality of care had gone downhill with transitioning to adult care and my new GI wasn’t taking my condition seriously or even trying to escalate treatment. As a result, I started to neglect my health, becoming reckless with my diet and medication because it wasn’t helping me anyway,” Sharan recalls.

Already having attempted to complete her final year of university for the second time due to her Crohn’s, Sharan knew if she could not complete the year on her second attempt then she would have to drop out. She refused to let her condition undo 5 years of hard work and pushed herself to graduate and get her Crohn’s under control. Sharan advocated to be transferred to a new Gastroenterologist to see if they would be able to help her achieve remission, allowing her to then focus on completing her degree. Shocked to hear she had been on steroids for so long as a teenager, Sharan’s new doctor pushed for a biologic treatment to be considered. After several rejections, the treatment was finally approved and showed immediate results, allowing Sharan to graduate with her class.

Ileostomy Surgery & Reversal

 In 2014, Sharan underwent an emergency subtotal-colectomy to form an ileostomy. “I felt completely alone in my condition at the time,” Sharan remembers. “I had never met anyone with a stoma before or even heard of them. Although my GI had mentioned the possibility of needing an ostomy at some point, it seemed like a distant issue and not a health concern that would affect me in my twenties.” During this time, Sharan came across a Crohn’s & Colitis UK Facebook forum which gave her the opportunity to connect with other patients like herself. Sharan’s daily struggles regarding her ostomy were discussed and validated by other ostomy patients on the forum.

Almost three years after her initial surgery, Sharan had her ostomy reversed, a decision she came to regret soon after. Although she had become accustomed to having an ostomy, Sharan still struggled with the stigma of having one, and felt pressure to go ahead with the reversal so she could go back to being ‘normal’ again.

“I chose to go through with the reversal even though I was reluctant because of the cultural emphasis placed on being a fit and healthy prospect for marriage in South Asian families as well as the general stigmas attached to having an ostomy.” 
Advocacy Work & IBDesis

Shortly after her reversal surgery, Sharan decided to become more involved with patient advocacy work to help her through a period of mild depression. Taking inspiration from the original Facebook forum she had joined previously, she started volunteering with Crohn’s and Colitis UK as a local network volunteer in 2018. As a volunteer, Sharan worked closely with patients going through similar experiences to herself.

“It was liberating to speak with other patients who understood what I had gone through,” Sharan explains. “As I became more involved in this type of advocacy work, I realized there was a need for support, specifically within the South Asian community.” negative and HRD positive. I was thrilled to be on a treatment that was targeted for me,” Alicia shares. 

Alongside other patient advocates like Tina Aswani Omprakash and Madhura Balasubramaniam, Sharan founded the private Facebook group, IBDesis, a dedicated space for South Asian individuals living with IBD to share their experiences, struggles, and to support each other. The group focuses on addressing the stigmas and misconceptions that are so commonplace in South Asian culture. “There’s a lot of judgement even in other Asian support groups surrounding IBD, with many people advocating against western medicine and urging patients who are struggling to deal with their issues through natural methods only,” Sharan notes. “Because of this, there is hesitancy and fear ingrained within the community, so we stay out of clinical research. However, this reluctance to participate ultimately hurts South Asian patients in the long run.” 

Sharan recalls a conversation 20 years ago with her GP at the time who admitted after her diagnosis that the delay in referring onto a specialist was due to his belief that IBD was not a condition South Asians dealt with. With stigma so prevalent in the South Asian culture surrounding chronic conditions like Crohn’s, Sharan found that the biggest hurdle to navigate in the creation of IBDesis was creating a space where members felt safe enough to open up about their experiences, as many of them had never been represented before and shared isolating experiences similar to Sharan’s.

Since its initial launch, IBDesis has expanded to other social media platforms and joined together with South Asian IBD Alliance (SAIA). The group hosts community members from across the globe, relying on virtual meetings for now, but Sharan hopes to eventually expand to in-person conferences and events.  

As an advocate, Sharan believes in the importance of highlighting the positives of clinical research and being open to appropriate treatment methods. 

“There are new medications available today that didn’t exist when I was a child. We need to take advantage of these new resources to help the South Asian IBD community,” Sharan says.

With more conversation now surrounding IBD than ever before, Sharan is hopeful the stigma will decrease for South Asian IBD patients. For women in nearly all cultures but especially for southern Asian women, there are major milestones and expectations surrounding marriage and motherhood. The IBDesis community serves as proof that people living with IBD and Crohn’s Disease can have successful open, honest, and personal communication about their condition with their spouses, raise children, and live full lives despite their illness.

“Going at a pace that is right for you in terms of your treatment and learning to self-advocate is the most important thing for a patient to remember,” Sharan says. “Not everyone is ready to be an advocate and that’s okay. It’s a very personal decision. The role of those who do become advocates is to help all members of their community feel seen and recognized, no matter what decisions they make about their personal health.”

Looking ahead, Sharan hopes to encourage more advocates for chronic conditions from all parts of South Asia to share their stories. “We want to remove as much of the lingering uncertainty and fear as we can for patients. This will improve the diagnosis and treatment journey for those with IBD who come after us.”

Additional Resources:

https://gi.org/topics/enteral-and-parenteral-nutrition/

https://ownyourcrohns.com/ibdesis/  

https://www.southasianibd.org/  

IBDesis Private Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ibdesis  

IBDesis social media handles: @ibdesis 

SAIA social media handles: @southasianIBD 

To search for medical conditions in a specific location, visit our Search Clinical Trials page.

To stay informed about clinical trials, visit our Resources page.

Volunteer opportunities with CISCRP, visit our Volunteer page.

Written by Lindsey Elliott, Marketing & Communications Manager, CISCRP | lelliott@ciscrp.org

Medical Hero Spotlight: Alicia Dellario, Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trial Participant

Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis

In 2014, Alicia had been struggling with increased urination for several months and assumed she had a UTI. She visited her gynecologist and asked for antibiotics and a urine analysis just to make sure. However, the urine analysis came back negative for a UTI, leaving Alicia and her doctor without answers for her symptoms. She was then referred to a urologist for further evaluation and testing.

Alicia credits her urologist with saving her life. “She decided to do a scan and then within an hour, called and told me I needed to see a gynecologic oncologist immediately. I had masses on my ovaries,” Alicia says. The next week, Alicia was referred to an oncologist near her in Philadelphia who scheduled her for surgery to remove all the tumors and perform a hysterectomy.

Alicia, who had just turned fifty with a seven-year-old daughter at home, was a candidate for a more intense and toxic form of chemotherapy treatment, due to her younger age and higher level of physical health she was in prior to her diagnosis.

“My oncologist had originally estimated I had about a 4-5 year life expectancy with this type of cancer and that chemotherapy would give me another 18 months of time,” Alicia remembers. “I was willing to start this chemo even if it just gave me 18 more minutes with my daughter.”
Treatment & Cancer Recurrence

The chemotherapy treatment Alicia was put on involved being pumped with chemicals through ports in her abdomen and her chest over the course of eight hours. The chemo left Alicia feeling incredibly sick and bloated while her stomach worked overtime to absorb the poison intended to destroy the cancer cells. Unfortunately, 17 months after Alicia finished this treatment, she experienced a cancer recurrence and needed a second surgery to remove new tumors. This time, Alicia received a different kind of treatment, which prevented the cancer for about a year until it returned. 

“Entering my third round of treatment for cancer, I was incredibly weak and had been through multiple doctors and care teams,” Alicia says. “I started off on a new medication and had terrible side effects, before making the decision to switch healthcare systems and doctors.” Alicia’s new oncologist recognized the toll chemotherapy had taken on her body and quality of life. He explained that she was living in a chronic disease phase with her cancer and told her to spend some time off medication recovering and enjoying life.

Finding a Clinical Trial

Six months after stopping the medication, Alicia’s cancer recurred for the fourth time in 2018. This time, her doctor recommended she participate in a clinical trial treatment specifically for ovarian cancer.

“Up until then, my chemotherapy had been standard of care treatment, but not specifically designed for ovarian cancer patients. The trial was also specifically for patients with my type of tumor mutation, BRCA negative and HRD positive. I was thrilled to be on a treatment that was targeted for me,” Alicia shares. 

Prior to her diagnosis, Alicia worked in healthcare for a pharmaceutical company, so she was familiar with how clinical trials worked and didn’t feel the fear that some people have about participating. Alicia started the trial medication on November 26, 2018. Now four years later, she remains a part of the trial and has had no cancer recurrences.

The trial Alicia joined is still ongoing, now tracking her progress in remission to see how long this medication effectively treats her cancer. Even four years later, Alicia receives blood work monthly and is closely monitored by her doctors. Because her oncologist is about an hour away, she receives a stipend for travel and her medication is free.

“I’m incredibly lucky! The only long-term side effect I have from this medication is chronic fatigue which is something I’ve adapted to over time. I’ll take being tired if it means I’m alive,” Alicia says.

When deciding to participate in the clinical trial, Alicia was heavily supported by her close friends and family. “We all knew I had run out of standard of care options and the trial was my best chance for survival,” Alicia notes. However, there were some acquaintances in her life who didn’t understand clinical research and made negative comments about her participation. “Ultimately, for cancer, there isn’t a treatment out there that doesn’t have some sort of side effect. For me, I had peace of mind knowing my care team was watching me closely,” Alicia says.

Raising Awareness for Ovarian Cancer

Prior to her diagnosis, Alicia knew nothing about ovarian cancer. When she went to her gynecologist about having increased urination, she was never told it was a potential symptom and screened for the other symptoms she already had. Like Alicia, many ovarian cancer patients have increased urination, bloating, back pain, and stomach pain. “In my mind, there were separate reasons for all these symptoms and didn’t think to tie them together. I was angry after being diagnosed that I wasn’t informed about the warning signs for ovarian cancer by my doctors,” Alicia recalls.

Alicia’s advocacy work began with researching her own medical journey, focusing on the chemotherapy treatment she was starting. She hoped to find other patients online who she could learn from to prepare for this experience.

“I made a promise to myself, that once I had made it through chemotherapy, I was going to work to raise awareness and education to give back,” Alicia says.

After finishing chemotherapy, Alicia got involved with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) and the hospital network she was with. She began speaking with gynecologists in that network, encouraging them to share information and education early on with patients. 

“I view clinical trials as an opportunity and not something to fear,” Alicia says. Today, there are new cancer treatments now in clinical trial phases that are less toxic on the body and have fewer side effects. The medication Alicia takes has allowed her to keep her hair, something that most medicines and chemo will cause to fall out.

“There’s also the opportunity to help others and improve treatments for everyone living with cancer. In my opinion, the benefits outweighed any fear I had. I would not be here without clinical trials and I’m forever grateful to the pharmaceutical companies, oncologists, and care teams who have given me this opportunity.”

Additional Resources:

https://ovarian.org/

To search for medical conditions in a specific location, visit our Search Clinical Trials page.

To stay informed about clinical trials, visit our Resources page.

Volunteer opportunities with CISCRP, visit our Volunteer page.

Written by Lindsey Elliott, Marketing & Communications Manager, CISCRP | lelliott@ciscrp.org

Medical Hero Spotlight: Kim Zukerberg, Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trial Participant

Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis

In the spring of 2013, Kim Zukerberg visited her primary care physician and her gynecologist for routine physicals, leaving with a clean bill of health. Shortly after those appointments, Kim found herself experiencing what she thought might be symptoms of menopause, including painful stomach aches. Her doctors didn’t believe the symptoms were urgent, so Kim waited several weeks for an appointment. When she was finally examined, her doctor ordered a vaginal ultrasound, and the scans came back with a mass. Rather than waiting for a CAT scan scheduled a week later, Kim made the decision to go to the ER, where she knew they would see her immediately.

“They scheduled me for explorative surgery to find out what was happening on a Saturday. When I woke up on Sunday, I was told I had an advanced stage of Ovarian Cancer 3C,” Kim recalls.
Beginning Chemotherapy Treatment

After her diagnosis, doctors rushed to stop the cancer from spreading further. Kim had a bowel resection, hysterectomy, and both ovaries removed. While recovering in the hospital from surgery, Kim began to prepare for chemotherapy treatment with a port installation in her stomach. While most cancer patients receive chemo as a standard treatment, Kim’s case was a bit unusual. Only about 5% of those who have such an advanced stage of ovarian cancer receive this type of treatment since it is so physically grueling on the body. “My surgeon would only give this chemo to patients who she thought could withstand the medicine. I was 52, about 10 years younger than the average patient at the time, and physically fit, so they decided I was a good candidate,” Kim explains.

Kim received chemotherapy in her stomach and chest over the course of six months. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through,” she recalls. Her treatment involved spending several days inpatient at the hospital for stomach chemotherapy, going home for a couple of days to recover, and then receiving outpatient chemotherapy treatment in her chest. 

It was a demanding schedule, but Kim has an incredible circle of friends who helped her during this time. “Someone always picked me up and brought me to my appointments and sat with me. They created a schedule to make sure someone was always there with me, which I wasn’t even aware of until after,” Kim remembers.

When her treatment concluded, Kim remained cancer free for about a year before having a recurrence in 2015. She then began her second round of chemo treatment. “With my recurrence, came ascites, which is when extra fluid builds up inside of the abdomen. Having ascites can cause a lot of additional uncomfortable symptoms like stomach pain, nausea, and bloating,” Kim explains. To treat this, Kim’s doctors had to drain the ascites fluid and eventually the chemotherapy kicked in and kept the symptoms from returning.

“Around this time, my oncologist told me that once a patient’s cancer recurs like mine had, they will continue to recur twice as fast. She told me I should start getting my affairs in order and that my life expectancy would not be long.”
Clinical Trial Opportunities

Several months after her cancer recurrence, Kim’s doctor let her know there was an opening in a clinical trial she was eligible for. Knowing nothing about clinical research, Kim decided to trust her oncologist and give it a try. 

“I was nervous but also excited about joining the trial. I figured nothing could be worse than what I’d already gone through, after having major surgery and getting beat up by chemo,” Kim says. All the studies at the time indicated that the trial drug would only extend Kim’s life expectancy by 7 months.

“I joined the clinical trial in December 2015, unsure if I was actually on the trial drug or a placebo,” Kim notes. Every two weeks, Kim had lab work so her oncologists could review her cancer antigen test to gauge how she was responding to the treatment. At first, there was a worry Kim might have a recurrence with cancer for the third time. But by March, Kim’s lab results showed a drastic decrease, a sign that the medication was working to keep the cancer away. Since then, Kim has been able to live a cancer-free life.

Life After Cancer

The clinical trial Kim was a part of concluded in 2021 and the drug is now FDA approved. Kim remains on the medication, now provided by her regular pharmacy.

 “For me, my cancer feels like a lifetime ago. I was so incredibly sick, to the point that my family members and I believed I would die within a year. Now I’m back to working full time and I just took out a 30-year mortgage,” she reflects.
kim

Kim and her granddaughter, Emma

Kim attributes beating cancer and the many new medications that exist today to clinical research. In 2013 when she was diagnosed, there were far less treatment options and the life expectancy for someone with ovarian cancer was very low. Now, there are more treatments available and women like herself can go on to live for decades after their diagnosis. One barrier to treatment that remains for ovarian cancer patients is the timeframe in which they are diagnosed. “Unfortunately, most people with ovarian cancer find out in a later stage of the disease because the symptoms they experience so similar to daily pains women have for most of their lives,” Kim says.

Advocacy Work

Once she started feeling healthier, Kim started looking for advocacy groups and community organizations online. This eventually led her to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) where she has since served as a patient advocate and mentor to others with ovarian cancer. 

“When I was in the hospital, I found so much information online for breast cancer, and it left me wondering, where are all the ovarian cancer advocates? I realized that this community is smaller because fewer women survive this disease. As a survivor, it’s my obligation to be vocal and spread awareness when I can,” Kim says.

Through mentor programs with the NOCC and OCRA, Kim has had the chance to connect with other ovarian cancer patients, give them encouragement, and share advice. “Most women I’ve spoken with have had to look up trials online by themselves. I can’t even imagine having that additional burden when you’re already sick and fighting for your life,” Kim says.

One of the hardest conversations Kim has had through the mentoring program was with a cancer patient living in Canada. Living 2 hours away from a hospital, she hadn’t even received a port for medicine in her chest, which is crucial for cancer patients because arm veins can’t withstand constant use. “This patient was only in her 40s and was told she would only have about 5 years by her doctor and there was nothing she could do. Unlike me, she didn’t have the option to travel or try out different hospitals because of how Canada’s healthcare system functions. She’s had to research clinical trials on her own and it breaks my heart,” Kim shares.

Advice for Others

Kim is a very vocal advocate for clinical research awareness, education, and participation. She shares that if her current medication stopped working tomorrow and a new trial was available, she would join in a heartbeat. “As someone who has been through a trial that saved my life, I remind friends and family that clinical research is a viable healthcare option they should always consider,” Kim notes.

“I think most ovarian cancer patients who say no to joining a trial are tired of spending time in the hospital and want to move on with their lives. I always say to them, ‘You’ve done the hard part already. Clinical trials are just the icing on the cake and could ensure you become or remain cancer free. Don’t quit before you finish.’”

Additional Resources:

https://ovarian.org/

https://ocrahope.org/

To search for medical conditions in a specific location, visit our Search Clinical Trials page.

To stay informed about clinical trials, visit our Resources page.

Volunteer opportunities with CISCRP, visit our Volunteer page.

Written by Lindsey Elliott, Marketing & Communications Manager, CISCRP | lelliott@ciscrp.org

Medical Hero Spotlight: Fred Neubauer, Cholangiocarcinoma Patient Advocate

Cholangiocarcinoma Diagnosis

In 2019, Fred Neubauer was seen by his doctors for a kidney stone, a somewhat regular problem he had every few years. When the stone passed, Fred noticed abnormal effects, including an excess amount of blood in his urine. As a precaution, his doctor ordered an MRI scan and coincidentally found a large mass on his liver. Fred was immediately referred to a hepatologist who diagnosed him with Stage IV Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of cancer that forms in the bile duct of the liver.

“This was news to me. I had no symptoms at all of cancer, although this is common for people with cholangiocarcinoma,” Fred recalls. By the time it was discovered, Fred’s cancer had metastasized to his vertebrae, ribs, and one side of his hips. His doctors began treatment by installing a port and beginning chemotherapy, which Fred remained on for a year. However, the chemo took a toll on Fred physically, causing his platelet count to drop significantly so he could no longer withstand treatment. 

“The chemo was keeping my cancer from growing, but it wasn’t shrinking the masses at all. It was too much to keep up with,” Fred recalls.
Treating Cholangiocarcinoma

As with every type of cancer, there are many treatment options available for patients, depending on their health and how advanced their cancer is when diagnosed. For Stage I and Stage II Cholangiocarcinoma patients, the cancer is confined to the liver. If the tumor is not near the hepatic vein, doctors can cut out that portion of the liver in a process called a hepatectomy or perform a liver transplant. For more advanced stages of Cholangiocarcinoma, transplants and hepatectomies are not possible.


After his initial round of chemotherapy, Fred realized he needed a more specialized care team to help treat his cancer. He transferred his records to MD Anderson where he was advised to recover from chemo for a couple of months. After this, he began three weeks of radiation, focusing on destroying the large tumor in his liver, while preserving the rest of the organ. “Early on in my treatment I had a biopsy done which was sent off for bio-marker testing to determine which cancer mutation I have and what medications I would be eligible to take,” Fred shares. After radiation, Fred started taking a targeted therapy medication approved by the FDA that wipes out only cancerous cells. The combined treatment has been largely successful. However, Fred’s care team is considering taking him off the medication, since they worry his cancer could eventually mutate to render the drug ineffective if used for too long.

The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF)

Fred found the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF) first as a patient looking for resources about his cancer and for a community of other patients to connect with. Since then, he’s joined CholangioConnect, a mentor program that allows for peer-to-peer connection among Cholangiocarcinoma patients. “This program is unique because it matches mentors with patients not only based on their cancer but based on their interests and preferences so a more personal connection can be made, and hopefully a friendship,” Fred shares. “They surveyed me when I applied to learn about me and the type of support I can provide and do the same with other patients.”

 
Through the CCF, Fred has taken on the role of a research advocate, attending conferences to become educated about Cholangiocarcinoma and the new drugs available to treat this cancer. Recently, Fred has begun to apply for several clinical trials he’s found through CCF as his next treatment option.

Clinical Trial Enrollment
“There’s only 5,000 to 8,000 Cholangiocarcinoma patients diagnosed each year in the United States. The prognosis of a Stage IV diagnosis has been estimated as 4 months survival. I’ve been living with this cancer for 3 years, which tells you a lot about the advances in treatment and improvements in quality of life for patients,” Fred notes. “For such a small group, we are light years ahead in terms of clinical trial participation, which I am lucky for.”

Through CCF, Fred was connected to ciitizen.com, a free service that provides medical storage of all his imaging, bloodwork, and other documentation digitally. As a patient, Fred can easily allow access of his records to family members, new doctors, and even research teams of trials he is applying to join. Additionally, Ciitizen stores genetic testing from blood samples and biopsies submitted by Cholangiocarcinoma patients. When new clinical trials are available that Fred would be eligible for, her is sent a message through the platform, streamlining the process.

Fred shared that he is fortunate to have only experienced minor side effects from his treatment, allowing him to continue leading an active lifestyle. For many cancer patients, this is not the case, as extreme fatigue is common when treatment takes a physical toll on those battling Cholangiocarcinoma. “Physically I have the energy and mentally I’m prepared to participate in a study,” Fred says. However, to be eligible for clinical studies, Fred’s kidney function, liver function, and blood chemistry testing will have to meet a certain threshold. Fred is awaiting results from several studies he’s applied to, hopeful that he has qualified.

“This type of cancer is very aggressive, it’s scary. Anything I can do while I’m still able to expand and improve treatment like clinical trials, I’m all for,” Fred shares.

Although battling Cholangiocarcinoma has been challenging, Fred’s family, friends, and church community have been incredibly supportive of his journey as a patient advocate and his decision to enroll in clinical trials. “My wife is 100% on board and even works with the CCF foundation now. If I’m selected for a study, I know she’ll support me,” Fred says.

Fred’s desire to enroll in a clinical trial stems not only from the need for a new treatment option, but is also rooted in his hope to help the Cholangiocarcinoma community and contribute to medical advancement.

“I compare this process to being an astronaut. There’s a lot of brilliant people who could be astronauts, but you’re selected based on your commitment and bravery. Patients who choose to join trials are bravely going where no one has gone before them and the outcome remains unknown. Despite this, they’re willing to take that journey in the spirit of discovery,” Fred says.

To those considering enrolling in a clinical trial, Fred advises patients to educate themselves, review all their options, and get a second opinion if they’re not sure. He also encourages patients to assess themselves physically and mentally first, before speaking with a doctor. “Meeting certain medical criteria is important, but research teams need to look beyond blood work and assess individuals as a whole. If you’re thinking of joining a clinical trial, consider other factors such as your passion, mental fortitude, and the time commitment you are willing to give to a study,” Fred advises. “Make sure you are fully aware of all the risks, benefits, and what the process involves.”

Additional Resources:

https://cholangiocarcinoma.org/

https://www.ciitizen.com/

To search for medical conditions in a specific location, visit our Search Clinical Trials page.

To stay informed about clinical trials, visit our Resources page.

Volunteer opportunities with CISCRP, visit our Volunteer page.

Written by Lindsey Elliott, Marketing & Communications Manager, CISCRP | lelliott@ciscrp.org

Medical Hero Spotlight: Nia Grant, Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Trial Participant

Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis

In 2007, Nia Grant was a senior at Spelman College, anxiously awaiting spring break so she could go on a trip to visit family in Florida. In the weeks leading up to the trip, Nia found herself struggling to sleep through the night and making frequent bathroom trips, which she attributed to the stress of midterms season as a college student.

 
On the 6-hour drive to Orlando, Nia’s symptoms only increased. “The longer we were in Florida, the worse I felt. We visited Disney, and I had to go to the bathroom constantly,” Nia recalls. It was in the middle of the night when Nia became nauseous and sick, and she and her family began to worry. The next morning, Nia’s sister drove her to the Emergency Room to be checked. “The nurse handed me a clipboard with intake forms to fill out and it was then that I realized I couldn’t see well enough to read the page,” Nia notes.

Assuming she had perhaps contracted food poisoning or another virus, Nia was tested and awaited results with her sister and friends. Eventually, Nia’s doctor visited her room and asked, “How long have you been diabetic?”

“That’s how I found out I had Type 1 Diabetes,” Nia explains. “I was so shocked. I called my mom on the phone and had the doctor tell her my diagnosis because I knew she wouldn’t believe me. She flew down to Orlando the next day.”

 
Nia remained in the ICU for a week recovering. There, she learned how to use insulin by first practicing on an orange before trying her own body. When she was released, she flew back to Atlanta to finish her senior year and began the journey of living with diabetes.

Finding Treatment

While the standard treatment for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is insulin, this is only one aspect of how Nia manages her condition. Food, exercise, and lifestyle choices are also important components that people living with Type 1 Diabetes must consider. “I’m lucky that I have such a strong support system and people in my life who have educated themselves about diabetes or who have it themselves. When I say, ‘I’m low’, I don’t have to explain to my friends what that means, which is nice,” Nia reflects. As with many chronic conditions, there are no days off from T1D and individuals living with the disease must be vigilant and make important choices to maintain their health. “I think it’s critical to remember the people behind the disease,” Nia advises. When Nia was first diagnosed, she sought out resources and support online, looking to existing diabetes advocacy and support groups. There, she made close friends and found a community that understood her condition and offered support and advice.

Getting Involved in Clinical Trials

Nia has been in several clinical trials, the first for an insulin pump four years ago. “I love clinical trials,” Nia gushed. “They are an opportunity for the average person to be involved in complex medicine.” Nia is a proponent of participating in clinical trials because of the need for diverse representation in these studies.

“A lot of times in clinical trials, you don’t see people who look like me. There’s a well-documented history of mistreatment of African American people in medicine. I am female, brown, and queer. My participation in trials helps to make the process more transparent and creates more representation for my community,” Nia explains.

Nia shares the important reminder that the more diversity in a trial, the better data can be collected and the better chance for treatments to be developed that are effective for all communities.

Although there are many important reasons Nia recommends participating in a clinical trial, she also acknowledges some of the barriers that can make participating difficult. “I live in Baltimore with a lot of great research institutions but was assigned to a hospital site in Virginia, 3 hours away from me. If a trial requires you to have visits in-person, that can take an entire day of driving and requires transportation, time off work, and in some cases childcare,” Nia notes. Another barrier for African Americans and other members of minority communities is the lingering fear and mistrust that still exists from past medical mistreatments. Nia admits that this fear still lingered in the back of her mind, but she pushed herself to take the step to participate and is glad she did. “It’s important to know that if you’re thinking about joining a trial, you have the right to ask as many questions as you’d like, in fact it’s encouraged. Clinical trial care teams want you to understand the process and make an informed decision,” Nia explains.

 

For anyone considering participating in a clinical trial, Nia advises, “Do it! I know that participating can sound scary or overwhelming, but this is your chance to contribute to science. The more data researchers have, the better data it is for the development of treatments and cures for you and members of your community. How cool is that?”

To search for medical conditions in a specific location, visit our Search Clinical Trials page.

To stay informed about clinical trials, visit our Resources page.

Volunteer opportunities with CISCRP, visit our Volunteer page

Written by Lindsey Elliott, Marketing & Communications Manager, CISCRP | lelliott@ciscrp.org

Medical Hero Spotlight: Marc Yale, Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid Advocate

marc yale
Pemphigoid Diagnosis

In 2007, Marc Yale visited his optometrist for a case of what he thought was conjunctivitis (pink eye). After running some tests, his doctor could not determine the cause of his symptoms. Within days, Marc broke out in blisters across his skin, mouth, nasal cavity, and throat. The blisters, especially those in his mouth and throat began causing other problems, including jaw clenching and difficulty swallowing. “In the beginning, I didn’t realize my eye symptoms and the blisters had any relation,” Marc recalls. “I visited the dentist who thought the jaw clenching was from impacted wisdom teeth. I went ahead and had those teeth removed, but then the hole wouldn’t heal and began to blister.”

After several months of pain and discomfort and multiple visits with specialists, Marc saw his General Physician, desperate for answers. “At this point, the blisters were so painful I couldn’t shower, I had lost 40 pounds from struggling to eat, and was losing vision in one of my eyes as it began to swell and close,” Marc shares.

Marc’s doctor referred him to a dermatologist who referenced a medical textbook, believing Marc may have an autoimmune condition he had never seen in real life. One biopsy later, the dermatologist’s suspicion was confirmed, and Marc was finally diagnosed with a chronic condition, Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid.

“Finally receiving a diagnosis was such a relief,” Marc remembers. “I’ve learned since then, that this process of delayed diagnosis is common with rare diseases. Most individuals with Pemphigoid see 5-10 doctors before learning what condition they have and their treatment options.”

Treatment for Pemphigoid: Pandora’s Box

Although Marc was excited to finally have answers for his painful symptoms, reviewing treatment options for this condition opened a “Pandora’s Box” of new challenges. The mainstay therapy for Pemphigoid is corticosteroids given in very high dosages, which can cause many side effects. Other popular treatments include immunosuppressant medications, which can help suppress the autoimmune condition, but come at the risk of making patients vulnerable to secondary infections. Marc’s doctors recommended he begin treatment using a “stairstep approach”; trying the drugs that work the fastest in hopes that they would be effective. In Marc’s case this meant beginning a combination of corticosteroids combined with the immunosuppressant medication.

Although these treatment options may be the fastest, they still take 6-8 weeks to work. “While I waited to see if this treatment plan would be effective, my condition began to progress,” Marc notes. “My blisters caused constant bleeding, making tasks like sleeping and getting dressed challenging. The blisters in my mouth and throat felt like I was swallowing razor blades all day long. Eventually, my drooping eye fused close and I lost my vision permanently. I couldn’t see, so I couldn’t work or drive.”

Finding a Clinical Trial

During this time, Marc began to research if there was anything new available for patients beyond his current treatment plan. While there were very few clinical trials being held for Pemphigoid 15 years ago, there was one drug trial Marc found in France. “I knew getting into a trial was my best chance of remission and figured I would be a great candidate. My wife and I were ready to move to France for this opportunity,” Marc shares.

Unfortunately, Marc was not eligible for the trial and had to continue with standard care until another option was found. Eventually, when his doctors had exhausted their resources, Marc was sent to see eye and dermatologist specialists in Boston, who suggested he go on therapy for a trial happening for an off-label drug, not yet approved by the FDA. Marc was able to find a doctor who would prescribe this drug to him at home and began the new therapy. In the meantime, he continued his research online to find a community of other people experiencing this disease.

Barriers to Accessing Clinical Trials

In Marc’s case, as with many other patients, one major barrier for treatment and clinical trial access is a delay in diagnosis. “Our healthcare system is set up in a way that makes it difficult for patients to access the specialists who can diagnosis them with these conditions. Additionally, this is not a common condition, so many doctors have never seen it and can’t readily diagnose it,” Marc notes.

Another barrier for the Pemphigus and Pemphigoid community is the lack of standardized guidelines regarding treatment for this disease in the US. Treatment is up to the individual doctor and can vary greatly. Marc advocates for consensus guidelines for all patients and doctors to follow. Patients also must consider the financial burden of treatment, as the price for these medications is astronomically high.

“Anyone with a rare or debilitating disease will feel a loss of control in their life. Treatment should be made simpler and more available for patients,” Marc explains.
Patient Advocacy with the International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Foundation

After looking around online, Marc found the International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Foundation (IPPF), a site dedicated to spreading awareness and sharing resources for patients. After reaching out, the organization asked Marc to join and offered volunteer and advocacy work. Marc took on an outreach project to find doctors who specialized in these conditions across the country, as the site currently only had 30 doctors listed. Marc also helped form a peer health coach program, where patients were available to help other patients with managing the disease. These peer health coaches could help navigate newly diagnosed individuals through challenges, such as finding the right doctors, choosing a treatment, possible symptoms, and how to get involved in clinical research.

“I was happy to volunteer at IPPF because I found it rewarding to help others so they wouldn’t have to go through the diagnosis and treatment process alone like I did. I found mentoring very cathartic and used it as a coping mechanism to manage my own disease. During this time, I became passionate about advocating for the Pemphigus and Pemphigoid community,” Marc shares.

Although Marc was working part time as a volunteer at IPPF to start, after two years his condition went into remission and he was able to dedicate his time fully as a coach, and later as the Executive Director of IPPF from 2016-2020. Marc spent his time as a director building educational resources for medical professionals, students, and policymakers in Washington, DC. After he experienced a flare up, Marc made the decision to step down from his role and work on a volunteer-basis again, this time focusing on advocacy for the foundation.

Marc remains a coach in the peer health coach program today, staying in contact with others he has coached or met through his advocacy work. “It’s the best and worst part of my job. I love having the opportunity to build those relationships and help others, but it’s hard because I know what these people are going through. This is a truly devastating disease,” Marc reflects.

 

Marc’s advocacy has not only impacted the lives of others in his community but also his own. “Even with a support system, only someone who has your disease really knows what you’re going through which is why patient networks are so important.”

“I’m a serial advocate,” Marc jokes, “I can’t stop advocating because it’s part of who I am; it’s what I’m passionate about. The more people know about this disease, the more resources will become available.”

Today, with the help of Marc and many other volunteers, IPPF has increased their list of specialty doctors from 30 to 400, opened sister organizations internationally, and increased awareness and funding for the disease. Currently, there are 10 Pemphigus clinical trials running and 4 for Pemphigoid, a major jump from the single trial Marc found available decades ago.

Marc’s advice to patient advocates just starting out is to “Never take no for an answer. Be committed, persistent, and keep trying. Whether you’re a small organization, a newly diagnosed patient, or an advocate, you’re never alone. There are so many others out there wanting to make a change or difference just like you.”

To search for medical conditions in a specific location, visit our Search Clinical Trials page.

To stay informed about clinical trials, visit our Resources page.

Sources: https://www.pemphigus.org/

Written by Lindsey Elliott, Marketing & Communications Manager, CISCRP | lelliott@ciscrp.org