JP

JP

Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

More than a decade ago, JP walked into OHC in Cincinnati, OH with a spirit undeterred by the prognosis of stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. Having exhausted standard treatments, JP sought something more, something that could offer him hope. He enrolled in one of the earliest clinical trials for a revolutionary treatment now known as immunotherapy, offered through a collaboration with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI).

The clinical trial offered JP a chance, and sometimes, a chance is all a patient needs.

JP responded to the treatment. But he didn't just respond; he thrived. His cancer went into remission, and year after year, his scans remained clear.

“Today, JP is not just a survivor; he’s a beacon of hope. As a volunteer in the clinic, he inspires others with his story, his smile, and his unwavering positivity—showing how clinical research can transform lives,” said David Waterhouse, MD, MPH, Director, Early Phase Clinical Trials at SCRI at OHC.

Every year, JP celebrates the anniversary of his diagnosis with a cake. The first cake read, "55 and still alive." JP, alongside OHC staff, have also celebrated with "57—not in heaven" and "64 and still wanting more." Each year, everyone eagerly awaits his latest creation, confident it will be as uplifting as ever.

Behind the humor and cake lies something profound: a patient who dared to believe in science and a system that made access to it possible. Clinical research is more than studies and protocols; it's a lifeline, a hope for a better tomorrow.

At SCRI at OHC, the mission is clear—bring promising therapies to the patients who need them most, right in their own communities.