Stanford Cancer Clinical Trial Stories
Join us, we want to hear from you!
Your story will provide courage and hope to others. We want to hear from the community of Stanford cancer clinical trial participants, loved ones, doctors, staff and more! Share a photo/video and a brief story with our community.
Dan - Trial Participant
Dan Rosenbaum, a Stanford cancer clinical trial participant, relaxes with his furry pal. After receiving new targeted treatments for his chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Dan noticed a difference almost immediately. “I saw a marked improvement in my symptoms within two weeks of starting treatment, with little or no side effects,” Dan said. “It’s so unbelievable it is almost hard to talk about.” Read more...
Noah - Trial Participant
Before two-year-old Noah was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer, his family’s biggest concern was getting his older brother off to preschool on time and deciding what was for dinner. His family now treasures and embraces the little moments of life.
“Our clinical trial experience has been phenomenal. At the time we were diagnosed, we were told that there's a fifty percent survival rate. I don't think we would be here today without the clinical trials that we have access to. The advice that I would give for people considering clinical trials is to consult with their own oncologist and try a clinical trial.”
Khanon - Trial Participant
The trial has helped me get back to living my life, my way. I choose to participate because I want to help advance cancer medicine (and spend a little more time with my granddaughter too).
Chuck - Trial Participant
I was very fortunate to be selected to participate in Stanford’s clinical trial. Due to my condition I had hundreds of basal cell carcinomas for over 3o years and watched them disappear in only a few months. It has greatly improved my quality of life.
Michael - Trial Participant
Michael had never previously been sick with anything worse than colds, flus and the usual childhood maladies. But over five years ago he was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma. After attempting multiple therapies, he was referred to the Hu5F9-G4 trial at Stanford. He received the experimental treatment, and discovered his cancer was significantly reduced. Read more...
Tina - Clinical Research Nurse
Looking to the future, Tina thinks that the new “CAR-T” immunotherapy that many of the investigators with whom she’s working will be a game-changer in cancer treatment. With this type of therapy, researchers genetically modify a person’s own T-cells (the cells that seek out harmful microbes and cancer) to destroy cancer cells. Read more...
Eve - Trial Participant
Colon Cancer
The trial gave me a second chance at life. The previous chemotherapy was grueling, but this trial has enabled me to live a fulfilling and vibrant life, raising my children and excelling in my job. It has been the best thing I could ever imagine. Moreover, I embrace the opportunity to pioneer in this field, inspiring others and witnessing the groundbreaking advancements in cancer research. It is an incredible honor for me as a patient who deeply cares about this space.
Rich - Trial Participant
Participating in my second clinical trial has showed me that there are so many opportunities available to us to win this battle against cancer.
Karyn - Trial Participant
Brain Cancer
Participating in a clinical trial has been an incredibly positive experience for me, and I've discovered that many other patients share the same perspective. When it provides an opportunity to enhance survival chances or even find a cure, why not participate?
Ruth - Trial Participant
I am on a clinical trial for colon cancer. The immunotherapy treatment is saving my life! I have been on it over a year and I'm very healthy compared to when I was on chemotherapy. I'm grateful to Stanford for letting me do this. The cancer is either shrinking or staying the same but not spreading. I have some side effects but Stanford keeps me comfortable. I'm fighting towards remission!
Ray - Trial Participant
Kidney Cancer
About six years ago I went to a doctor for a persistent cough that I was having, and he said to me as long as you're here let’s do a chest X-ray as well. And the result was they found five or six spots in my lungs, and following a couple of weeks of different tests, scans, and biopsies, it was determined that I had stage four renal cell cancer in my lungs.
At that point, I decided I needed to change my way of thinking, and I needed to take charge of my own health. Over the past five years, I’ve averaged about 30 trips to Stanford. Each trip is 140 miles, and I gladly make that trip because of the care that I get here and I’m thankful for the opportunity to be part of a clinical trial here at Stanford.
Sara's Gift
A Legacy of Hope for Gastric Cancer Patients
Kimberly - Nurse-Scientist
As a nurse-scientist working at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Kimberly Pyke-Grimm studies how teen and young adult cancer patients make medical decisions. Her research is shaped by her experience as both a pediatric-oncology nurse and mother of three. “I feel strongly about contributing to child health because two of my children were born with heart disease. I want to be making a difference in giving other children the best care because my children received it.” Read more…
Fawn - Trial Participant
In the face of cancer, from the day I was diagnosed, I now live everyday as my last day and I live fully in the moment. I would never have imagined, during my prime life stage with a promising career and future, that I would be diagnosed with terminal lung cancer without any sign of illness or physical discomfort. But life happens, and when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. I'm am so glad I participated in Stanford's clinical trial. It is through my participation which proved positive results in which has allowed me to lead a normal, active life all the while giving me more precious time to enjoy with my family and friends.
Brian - Trial Participant
Hodgkin's Lymphoma
I'm a firm advocate as a survivor of a clinical trial. And you know, I think one of the important things about clinical trials is it’s easy to give up hope when you're faced with something like cancer. But clinical trials give patients hope.
Paula - Trial Participant
I was never diligent about self-exam, but that day in the shower, with my soapy hands, I casually felt my breasts. That’s when I felt a lump. In that moment, I intuitively knew I had cancer. When I learned there is no standard treatment protocol for triple negative breast cancer, my breast specialist recommended that I consider a clinical trial. With his guidance, support and knowledge of available trials, plus my own research, the choice became clear. I am happy to report that I had a complete response to the trial and today I am cancer free! Less than five months after treatment ended. I was able to reach my goal of climbing to 14,000 feet in the Kumbu region of Nepal! Life is good.
Neil- Trial Participant
Lung Cancer
Clinical trials, since the beginning of my diagnosis, have always been at the fore of my thoughts. I learned very quickly that clinical trials nowadays are ‘not’ the end of the road for people. If anything, it’s the opposite.