Pisters vows to 'listen and learn' as president of the cancer center
Winter 2018 : My Moon Shot: Kevin Hanlon, cancer survivor
My Moon Shot: Kevin Hanlon, cancer survivor
Lung cancer survivor shares his story
Lung cancer survivor Kevin Hanlon, 61, lives with his wife, Denise, and their three children in Syracuse, New York, where he is president and chief executive officer of Comsource. Kevin and his brother, Robert Hanlon, created an international working group for those diagnosed with the same lung cancer mutation so that they can communicate globally about the available clinical trials. Kevin has contributed $150,000 to the Lung Cancer Moon Shot™ for research under the direction of John Heymach, M.D., Ph.D., chair of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology. Kevin's philanthropic spirit also inspired him to help the Houston community during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey by donating 37,000 bottles of Nirvana drinking water to the Houston Food Bank.
In early 2016, I had developed a bad cough, so I went to the doctor. He told me I had lung cancer and suggested I seek treatment.
Soon after the diagnosis, I went to a cancer hospital close to home. The hospital identified an epidermal growth factor receptor mutation called an exon 20 insertion, which is highly resistant to treatment. I had six months of chemotherapy, which was successful in knocking back the cancer. After the chemotherapy ran its allotted course, I had one year of treatments using three other therapies, none of which worked.
Fortunately during this time period I had the opportunity to meet John Heymach, M.D., Ph.D., chair of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at MD Anderson. I learned that Dr. Heymach, through the support of MD Anderson's Moon Shots Program™, figured out how to repurpose a drug for my specific mutation. In August 2017, Dr. Heymach welcomed me into his Phase II clinical trial of poziotinib. Since then, my tumors have regressed and my breathing issues have subsided, as has my cough.
I am forever grateful to Dr. Heymach and his team at MD Anderson.
What's your Moon Shot? Contact us at promise@mdanderson.org and tell us why MD Anderson's Moon Shots Program is important to you.
More Stories From Promise
Exhibits emphasize generosity, commitment of MD Anderson donors
MD Anderson Board of Visitors, Bush family and others celebrated in new installations
MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors honors longtime member
Harry Longwell named Life Member of cancer center's advisory board
MD Anderson salutes president ad interim
Hicks led cancer center for eight months, resumes position as division head of Diagnostic Imaging
MD Anderson events benefit vital cancer research, cancer treatment programs
Legendary figures lend names to cancer center's signature fundraising events, helping raise nearly $2.5 million
Cancer survivor celebrates every milestone, cycles her way to $9,000
Breast cancer survivor marks five-year anniversary by giving back
Craig's Court at MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital
PediDome space inspires young cancer survivors to 'never give up'
Survivors Say: Jesse Purdy, esophageal cancer survivor
Esophageal cancer survivor Jesse Purdy, of Georgetown, Texas, was a psychology professor for nearly 40 years at Southwestern University. Last October, Purdy received the Cattlemen for Cancer Research Survivor Award, which honors courageous cancer fighters across Central Texas.
MD Anderson's Moon Shots Program turns 5
Novel approach to cancer science yields progress
Conversation starters
Since 1990, A Conversation With a Living Legend® events across the country have raised almost $37 million for MD Anderson. The tradition continued in 2017 with three successful events raising nearly $2.5 million for vital cancer research and patient care programs.
Among Friends: Daniel Darling, MD Anderson Advance Team member
When Advance Team member Daniel Darling arrived in the United States from Sydney, Australia, he had never heard of MD Anderson.
Thousands support MD Anderson's Boot Walk to End Cancer®
Community raises funds, awareness to ‘Give Cancer the Boot’
Cancer survivors, caregivers enjoy networking and support at annual MD Anderson conference
Keynote speakers, breakout sessions offer hope and inspiration at MD Anderson survivorship conference
Hildebrand Foundation ASPIREs for more, funds cancer prevention efforts
$1.5 million donation boosts tobacco-free youth program created at MD Anderson
$1 million research award offers hope for metastatic prostate cancer patients
MD Anderson team to study biology of disease
Young MD Anderson donor makes big plans
MD Anderson Cancer Center president accepts young donor's gift to end cancer
MD Anderson caregiver creates foundation in memory of mother
Ashley Skrljac lives in Houston with her husband, Ed, and their two sons, Jack, 6, and Henry, 3. She started a foundation to help raise money for leptomeningeal disease in memory of her mother, Jennifer Clanton.
Upcoming events
Mark your calendar and join the fight