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RJoeyB

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Bio

I was diagnosed at age 39 with Stage IV melanoma in July 2010 and we’ve been fighting ever since. I am currently being treated at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia and have participated in a clinical trial for TIL Adoptive Cell Therapy and Interleukin-2 at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. Including the original cutaneous lesion on my back, I’ve had fourteen total tumors and lesions, including metastases to the brain, bones, lung, and small bowel. In addition to the NIH TIL trial, I’ve had IL-2 as a separate monotherapy, a full four-dose course of Yervoy (ipilimumab), and received 6 rounds of radiation (SBRT and SRS CyberKnife). I’ve also had eight surgeries, including two craniotomies, shoulder replacement, and small bowel resection.

My wife, Linette, and I have been married for 21 years, and have two daughters, ages 20 and 17.

Display Name

RJoeyB

I am

the patient

Initial Diagnosis Month

July

Initial Diagnosis Year

2010

Stage at Diagnosis

Stage 4

Current Stage

Stage 4