SPOTLIGHTS

PATIENT TESTIMONIAL: REED GRGICH

I was born one of six boys in 1945 to a hard-working, farming family that raised the best potatoes in the county. At 17, I went to work as a smelter and over the years, became a master craftsman of many trades--including millwright, welding, plumbing, electrical, rigging, carpentry, metallizing, dynamic balancing and mechanics. I remodeled four homes and built three. I’ve owned, repaired or sold about 300 cars. I’ve been exposed to asbestos throughout my life because of my work and hobbies.

Life with my beautiful wife and children were going fine, until January 2010, when I got pneumonia and underwent three months of treatment with no improvement. A pulmonologist told me that he expected it was mesothelioma, and biopsies confirmed this. I was told to get chemo if I wanted to live for another 6 months. My wife was so afraid, as she’d lost her father and brother to lung cancer. We knew that we had to find the best treatment out there and that there had to be something more than just chemotherapy.

By researching online, my daughter came across Dr. Robert B. Cameron at UCLA, who was renowned for his work as a mesothelioma surgical oncologist. We saw Dr. Cameron in August 2010 and he said he could give me back my quality of life and give me more time with his lung-sparing surgery, pleurectomy decortication. At the time, I thought I had been shot with a gun and it had taken 48 years to kill me. Mesothelioma is so sneaky. It takes years to develop. That was seven years ago, and I’ve had various ablation treatments since then to keep my meso in check.

Five years ago, we attended PHLBI’s symposium and discovered a ton of information. I know there have been more great strides in meso research since then, so we plan to attend this year’s symposium. I believe that some day there will be a way to find meso early and that there will be better treatments. I am so thankful for all the support and prayers from friends and family. And I thank Dr. Cameron and everyone on his support team—Martha, Clare, Lien and the researchers—as well as the individuals at the St. James Inn—for they have given me back all this time with my wife and family.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: SONIA JARVIS BAYEK

When Sonia Jarvis Bayek lost her father, Chuck Jarvis, to mesothelioma in 2012, she vowed to do whatever she could for the next person fighting the disease. Her strength and conviction were drawn from the lessons her father taught her and her brother at a young age. One such lesson was to contribute to society and help others wherever and whenever possible. Sonia has taken this advice to heart in her quest to raise funds for mesothelioma research and to educate those around her about the disease.

Each year Sonia organizes Team Chuck Jarvis for the 5K Walk for Mesothelioma, and has earned the “Top Fundraising Team” accolade for the past two years. She also raises money by hosting events like the annual Chuck Jarvis Pasta Dinner, and an annual garage sale.

In addition, Sonia serves as an organizer of the PMC Caregivers Support Group, offering prayer and comfort to those who are going through the most difficult time of their lives. She honors her father and keeps his memory alive by living her life the way he would have lived his today—by helping others.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: CHRISTINA MCSHERRY

As PHLBI’s Marketing Coordinator, Christina strives to increase the institute’s engagement with the mesothelioma community. This includes broadening the organization’s social media presence, creating new and relevant content for its blog, and communicating and engaging supporters through both email and post.

By organizing events such as the Valentine’s Day Blood Drive, she not only introduces the institute to a larger audience, but also promotes the innovative research done at PHLBI. She stays connected with the mesothelioma community through her role as coordinator of the PMC Caregivers Support Group, something that has allowed her to see firsthand the devastation that mesothelioma has on families, and the positive impact of community support.

It is her hope that with a higher profile and consequent greater funding, the PHLBI can fulfill its goal of developing treatments that extend mesothelioma patients’ lives

PACIFIC HEART, LUNG, & BLOOD INSTITUTE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 15