Surviving Cancer: Milton Gee

Tools

by FOX Charlotte

Story Created: Nov 9, 2011 at 9:28 PM EDT

Story Updated: Nov 9, 2011 at 9:50 PM EDT

When Milton Gee first found a lump in October 2004, he had no idea it was skin cancer. It was a lump from a melanoma that had metastasized. From then through January 2007, Milton went through several treatments to no avail – including Interferon and Interleukin, radiation, and more – at Carolinas HealthCare System.

In 2007, he was approached to join a clinical trial for ipilimumab, a new type of drug that treats cancer by empowering the body’s own immune system. After four doses and twelve weeks, he was cancer free.

“The best part about being a survivor is just being alive,” said Milton. “If I hadn’t gone on the clinical trial, there’s no telling where I’d be today.”

A survivor for more than five years now, Milton continues to engage with the melanoma community, inspiring other survivors by sharing his story at fundraising events and educational conferences on melanoma. Milton said the best thing about being a survivor is getting back to doing the things he loves the most – spending time with family and friends and being physically active. He swims up to 2,400 yards several times a week, weight lifts and boxes!

Earlier this year, ipilimumab was approved by the Food & Drug Administration for use in melanoma patients to the joy of Levine Cancer Institute’s clinical team and patients across the country. This type of immunotherapy is the first of its kind developed for melanoma and the first new melanoma drug to gain FDA approval in 13 years.

In 2009, about 68,000 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed in the U.S., and 8,700 related deaths occurred, according to the American Cancer Society. Levine Cancer Institute knows celebrating survivorship increasingly means offering novel agents like ipilimumab to improve the quality of care, provide hope for all patients with cancer, and lead to the development of new and exciting standards that will change the outcomes for patients with cancer.

Join Levine Cancer Center in celebrating cancer survivorship this holiday season by attending Kaleidoscope on Ice, November 18th at Bojangles Coliseum. For more info click HERE.

blog comments powered by Disqus

What's On TonightFull Schedule

8:00
cops
8:30
cops
9:00
cops
9:30
cops