 |
Leah and Tim Bochnicek and their family. |
In December 2013, 42-year-old Leah Bochnicek was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She never smoked a day in her life. The married mother of three was shocked.
Bochnicek sought help from Nebraska Medicine oncologist/hematologist Dr. Alissa Marr. Further testing revealed that Leah had a lung cancer variation known as the “ALK mutation” — only about 4 percent of people diagnosed with lung cancer receive this diagnosis. Luckily, researchers have found ways to suppress this particular type of lung cancer.
Bochnicek never had a drop of chemo or radiation to fight her cancer. In January 2014, she began taking the FDA approved oral drug Crizotinib twice a day. Within four months on the drug, the tumor on her right lung shrunk. After eight months, it disappeared completely. However, Bochnicek’s type of cancer will eventually develop resistance to the drug. When that happens, the tumors will grow again. Researchers are working quickly to create additional drugs to fight this cancer.
That’s why Bochnicek and her husband Tim are actively working to seek funding for lung cancer research. They’ve created the Lungs4Life Foundation. They are hosting a golf scramble on August 7 at Tiburon Golf Course. All the money raised will go toward lung cancer research at the new Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. The registration deadline for the golf event is July 29.
For more information on the Lungs4Life Foundation or the event, visit the website.