Good morning,
My name is Judith Frye, and I am a cancer patient at Mary Crowley Cancer Research. Prior to my diagnosis, I lived a healthy lifestyle, consuming a balanced diet and exercising daily. Despite all that, I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, which had spread to my bones, liver, and lungs, in September of 2018.
My oncologist, Dr. Minal Barve, personalized my treatment plan based on my genetic mutations, but after nearly two years of treatments, my cancer was no longer under control. I had two options: Yet another debilitating standard of care treatment or a clinical trial at Mary Crowley Cancer Research where Dr. Barve is Executive Medical Director. I chose Mary Crowley.
I spent every Wednesday for six weeks at Mary Crowley Cancer Research. I experienced few side effects aside from exhaustion. Unfortunately, during my sixth treatment, I suffered a severe allergic reaction, which ended my participation in the trial.
Again I faced a decision: Return to limited standard of care options or enroll in another trial. My research showed this new trial was designed to address my specific genetic mutation. That information, along with Dr. Barve’s guidance, encouraged me to join. I believed in the team at Mary Crowley.
My current trial is a walk in the park. My tumors have shrunk by more than 83%—many are no longer visible—and I have had four months of normal tumor marker tests. I feel more like myself and look forward to resuming the active lifestyle I love.
While you may not know me, you know someone like me: A father, a sister, a friend who has or has had cancer. It can be tough to put a name and a face to clinical trials, but without them, there may not have been another option for me when I needed it most.
Research is the only way for new cancer treatments to become available, and your support is a vital part of that process. Will you consider making a gift to Mary Crowley Cancer Research this North Texas Giving Day? I’m grateful for advocates like Drs. Pamela and Patrick Waters who have generously offered a $5,000 challenge gift, and I hope you’ll help them bring the treatments of tomorrow to patients today.
When I needed hope, Mary Crowley Cancer Research was there. With your help, they can continue to provide patients like me with the most promising trials in our moment of need.
With gratitude,
Judith Frye
Patient at Mary Crowley Cancer Research
