Tina was diagnosed in October 2016 with an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma after being quite ill and visiting several doctors.  At the time she was diagnosed, the cancer was estimated to be between stage 3 and 4. She had heard from others about the exceptional care at Dana-Farber. She immediately knew that she was in the best hands possible when she met Dr. Ann LaCasce because she made Tina feel extremely comfortable as she assessed the situation. Tina says she felt that that was in the right place to be successful and beat it. She had a great team and everyone worked so well together that it felt like they were giving this disease everything they had. Tina was enrolled in the CAR-T clinical trial, which has showed very promising results, in April 2017. CAR-T clinical trials involve altering T cells so that they are “tricked” into attacking cancer cells when they otherwise normally wouldn’t. Tina temporarily relocated to Boston for treatment, and by the beginning of May, scans showed that her cancer was gone. She had a second scan in June that revealed the same results and confirmed that the cancer was in remission. She will now come back for follow-up visits to confirm continued remission. Tina is a 5th grade teacher at Queensbury School in New York. She had to leave her students in September of 2016 because she was so ill, and they were scared for her health all year long. They sent many cards and greetings. In June 2017, Tina was able to return to the classroom. They hosted a wonderful rally for her return, which is documented in a heartwarming video. Tina is married to her husband John and they have two daughters, Jenna, 22, and Mara, 19. Tina says her recovery has meant she can do what she loves – spending time with her family and teaching. She says a cancer diagnosis makes you appreciate all the little things in life and really know the good in the world.

Dr. LaCasce treats patients in Dana-Farber's adult lymphoma program. Lymphomas are blood cancers. Dr. LaCasce can speak about the clinical advances made in treating lymphoma over the past 10+ years.