Clinical Trial Patients | UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

With their stories of strength, hope and courage, cancer patients offer inspiration to one another, to their friends and families, and to the doctors and nurses who care for them.

Here are some of their stories, shared by patients who have participated in clinical trials and been treated at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Lymphoma

Enjoying life and time with great-grandchildren

When Barbara Mooney was first diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in October 1999, she didn’t think she would see her grandkids grow up. Now, she babysits her three great-grandchildren. “I would never have dreamed of it,” Mooney said. “Let me tell you, it is a blessing.”
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Lung cancer

Local access to quality cancer care key in successful lung cancer treatment

Lisa Peltier credits her good health to the state-of-the-art cancer care and expertise she received through the UC Davis Cancer Care Network. Through the network she received expertise from the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center in Truckee and participated in two clinical trials. “I’m doing great,” she said. “I feel good and am glad to be back working full-time.”
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Prostate cancer

Going strong 14 years after stage IV diagnosis

Rollie Swingle was diagnosed with stage IV prostate cancer in 2004. Due to the late stage of disease, his doctor urged him to join a clinical trial of a new treatment. “Some people think it’s risky to participate in trials,” he said. “For me, being in clinical trials has kept me alive and healthy. I honestly don’t think I would be here today without them.”
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Gallbladder cancer

City-wide program unites oncologists to treat tough tumors

Mary Barber's participation offered the chance to help others while improving her own odds against the disease. “You can’t really believe everything you hear (about clinical trials),” Barber. “There were several reasons why I enrolled. First, it was highly recommended. Second, the idea that it may or may not benefit me was okay, but looking ahead I knew the research would benefit others.
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Lung cancer

Each day is a precious gift

Elizabeth Lacasia celebrated an important milestone — the 10-year anniversary of her lung cancer diagnosis. “I’m very fortunate to still be here,” she said. Through an innovative clinical trial, she received a combination treatment and is doing well. Lacasia is passionate about helping other lung cancer patients, sharing her experience and perspective on battling the disease.
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Lung cancer

Dedicated to helping other cancer patients through clinical trials

John Dorton lives each day with a sense of adventure, curiosity and hope for more to come. He tackled his lung cancer diagnosis several years ago with the same spirit. Diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer, he was happy to participate in clinical trials for the benefit of not only himself but other cancer patients.
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Ovarian cancer

Innovative treatment and positive outlook help battle ovarian cancer

Cindy Baumeister was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she took on the diagnosis with the same focus and energy she always gave to every aspect of her life. Following surgery and chemotherapy, she participated in clinical trials. “I feel awesome and am doing well,” Baumeister said.
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Breast cancer

Looking forward to the future and helping cancer patients

Toni Carter is living a full life – she enjoys traveling and spending time with her three grandchildren. It’s hard to imagine that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011. Carter participated in a clinical trial for accelerated partial breast radiation. Her participation was instrumental in providing future breast cancer patients with the needed information for optimal breast radiation therapy. Today, Carter is cancer-free, enjoys helping patients who are undergoing cancer treatment and volunteers in the children’s ward at UC Davis.
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Meet our clinical trials patients