Hi everyone. My name is really Barry and not Skip which was my nickname many years ago, and I would rather be known as BK. Well here is another survivor story and I havent been very active with the Alliance in the last year. Last year I had the honor of being the longest living survivor in the country who was on the Avastin trial. Now I am told by the Avastin Mfgr who is Genetech that I am the longest living survivor in the world. As you may know I was diagnosed in 2003 with Stage 4 Lung cancer, no cure, surgery was out of the question, and Chemo would not help. Then I was able to get into the first phase of the Avastin trial. I was cancer free 3 years later and continued on Avastin as it was the only way I could give back, and because they were learning so much from me. In the last year i had major surgery (not cancer related) but perhaps the cause of an illness and a heart attack in the hospital. and did not deal with my cancer until I was well enough to. One year later I was still cancer free until I found out that I had cancer in my neck and lung cancer had returned. Back on Chemo and Avasin plus radiation I was convinced that this was a message. After my 81st chemo last week I can report that I have done it again and have kicked the devil out of this disease. My message is dont ever give up, attitude is 70-80% of survival. All we need is hope and time because a cure could just be around the corner. THIS IS LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH AND WE NEED EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE. G-D BLESS ALL OF YOU AND YOUR CARE-GIVERS.
BARRY KERSNER (B.K.)
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