In 2015, about 2 months after my diagnosis with Stage 4 lung cancer, my tumour sample was sent for biomarker testing in the U.S.  I learned from the testing that I have RET+ lung cancer, but there was no viable treatment for it in 2015.  I was lucky though -- I responded to immunotherapy for close to 7 years, which allowed me to get back to living an active life with my beautiful family.  

Last year, my cancer again progressed and started to spread.  Again, fortunate for me, I was able to start taking a RET inhibitor drug, daily pills that control RET+ cancer.  This drug just became available in clinical trials in the U.S. about 6 years ago (and 2-3 years ago in Canada).   I am very grateful to have access to this treatment.  However, research and patient experience demonstrates that this RET inhibitor drug will also stop working eventually.   More research is key to find the next treatments.

I joined the Board and am currently Co-Chair of RETpositive -- a U.S.- based non-profit dedicated to supporting RETpositive patients with any type of cancer and to funding research that will enable all of us to live longer.   In two years, we have co-funded more than $2 million in research.

We are all grateful for any support you can provide so that we can continue our important work.  Thank you for helping make a difference for RET+ cancer patients and our families!