Cancer Survivor Bob Gibbs Raises Funds for Research with Miles for Hope
Gibbs was frustrated with the terms of eligibility and lack of awareness of the therapy, so he began his own charitable organization, Miles for Hope, to raise awareness of the treatment method.
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March 19, 2010
When Bob Gibbs was diagnosed with a primary Grade II brain tumor in 2004, the odds weren't in his favor. And, despite his aggressive treatment plan, which involved extensive chemotherapy and surgery, his cancer continued to progress.
But, when he was officially declared to have a Grade III tumor, he became eligible to receive an experimental treatment that actually extended his life. Gibbs began to take DCVax-Brain, a brain cancer vaccine that is lengthening the lives of those who have been afflicted with the illness by up to six years post-diagnosis.
However, Gibbs was frustrated with the terms of eligibility and lack of awareness of the therapy, so he began his own charitable organization, Miles for Hope, to raise awareness of the treatment method.
"It has been quite frustrating to see the same vaccine that saved my life, and the lives of others, unavailable to those battling this devastating disease," Gibbs said. "We are all living proof that the vaccine works, but we see too many doctors and patients that remain unaware that the vaccine exists, and of its impressive clinical trial track record."
Brain tumors often do not receive the same coverage and attention as breast cancer or prostate cancers, but more than 190,000 individuals are diagnosed with the disease each year.
However, survivors can seek out new treatment methods, such as DCVax-Brain, for a more promising prognosis.
Organizations such as Miles for Hope are working to raise money to make cutting edge medications and therapies available to patients and fund further research about the disease.
When Bob Gibbs was diagnosed with a primary Grade II brain tumor in 2004, the odds weren't in his favor. And, despite his aggressive treatment plan, which involved extensive chemotherapy and surgery, his cancer continued to progress.
But, when he was officially declared to have a Grade III tumor, he became eligible to receive an experimental treatment that actually extended his life. Gibbs began to take DCVax-Brain, a brain cancer vaccine that is lengthening the lives of those who have been afflicted with the illness by up to six years post-diagnosis.
However, Gibbs was frustrated with the terms of eligibility and lack of awareness of the therapy, so he began his own charitable organization, Miles for Hope, to raise awareness of the treatment method.
"It has been quite frustrating to see the same vaccine that saved my life, and the lives of others, unavailable to those battling this devastating disease," Gibbs said. "We are all living proof that the vaccine works, but we see too many doctors and patients that remain unaware that the vaccine exists, and of its impressive clinical trial track record."
Brain tumors often do not receive the same coverage and attention as breast cancer or prostate cancers, but more than 190,000 individuals are diagnosed with the disease each year.
However, survivors can seek out new treatment methods, such as DCVax-Brain, for a more promising prognosis.
Organizations such as Miles for Hope are working to raise money to make cutting edge medications and therapies available to patients and fund further research about the disease.
