| I am a strong believer in the value of medical research. I am alive because of it. When my cervical cancer returned in July 2011, the survival rate for patients like me undergoing traditional chemotherapy was only 15%. But a clinical trial at MD Anderson was seeing a 31% response rate among its participants. |
| And when it comes to a chance to be there for your children's milestones, every bit of hope makes a difference. |
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| The clinical trial that saved my life |
| I was one of 54 women with recurring cervical cancer who participated in the clinical trial, which explored the effectiveness of a drug called Altima (or pemetrex) with a drug called cisplatin. |
| MD Anderson doctors had a willingness to push the boundaries of what we already know about cervical cancer and how it's treated. By March 2012, I showed no evidence of disease, and have since enjoyed being cancer‑free. That's time I might not have had with my kids, if not for the groundbreaking research being conducted at MD Anderson. |
| Why cancer research matters |
| When people were diagnosed with cancer years ago, it was often seen as a death sentence. But advances in early diagnosis and treatment from discoveries made through research have changed that prognosis for countless patients over the past few decades. |
| Research is how we make tangible progress in the fight against cancer. It's the reason we now have a vaccine against HPV — a virus that can cause cancer in men and women. |
| It’s also the reason I am alive today. |
| Support research at MD Anderson |
| Every dollar you donate to MD Anderson helps give passionate scientists the tools they need to save lives, like mine. |
| Gratefully, |
| Linda Ryan |
Thank you for making a gift during National Cancer Research month to
help end cancer for more people like Linda. |
