New CML Drug .com

Thank you so much for your work with CML, I was diagnosed at age 50. Its been 3 yrs and at the time I was diagnosed, it was very scary times. Look forward to new generations of meds and look forward to many more years.

Dr. Druker-Thank you for giving me another Mother's Day.

Dr Druker-

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You are a blessing to all of us that have been touched by CML.

Thank you Dr. Druker for your reassuring words & full explanations. You have been the only doctor to explain to me exactly what my 11 year old son will have to deal with for the rest of his life. I'm grateful that you treat my son & that his blood is reviewed in your lab. Thank you for all the attention you (and Carolyn) have provided to my son and me during this difficult time in our lives. My son wants to be a scientist now. Maybe one day he will work in your lab. We respect you so much.

Thank you Doctor Drucker-

for the years I've been able to spend with my

husband, for making it possable to

attend my son's wedding, for the

Christmas's and birthdays with family

and friends, but most of all thank you

for my life.

I should thak my Oncologist Stephony Hodson

Boise, Idaho....she rocks!

I am so thankful for Gleevec. Thank You 1,000 times and more for your hard work in inventing Gleevec,a miracle drug for Leukemia victims.My husband was diagnosed with CML in Jan.2008.For 10 months tha V.A. supplied him with Gleevec 400mgs. two times a day.Several weeks ago, we received a letter denying him Gleevec.They claimed our yearly income is too much, so he does'nt qualify anymore.Now, we will have to pay $1, 364.00.00, a month,instead of $8.00 co-pay. I am pleading with you to please help us find a way to get financial assistance.Leukemia Society is helping us, however, it's just not enough! My husband is doing well and feels good. Our family is so greatful for Gleevec.It has given so many people hope for these dreaded blood cancers.Why is this life saving drug so expensive? Most average families just can't afford this medication. There must be a way to purchase this Gleevec at a reasonable cost to the patient! Afterall,their lives depend on this drug. God Bless You,

Delores Archuleta

Dr. Druker, I hope to God you read this. Because you've changed the lives of so many people, of so many that would NOT have had hope without your dedication. You rule. You're work is the work of a true angel on this Earth. God bless you, may he bring you every flippin joy you want, whatever it is. Anyways, here's my story....



Generally a nice guy, a portly Irish German Jersey gent of 5'8" and about 3 tons, I'm a product of years of working out a great deal and eating all the wrong foods a great deal MORE, so I'm kinda like a miniature Offensive Lineman. Can't help it, as I have a zest to enjoy everything I can, and now that I've been diagnosed, I kinda know why God put me into this mindset early on, because in all truth after being a complete introvert in my youth, I have loved to live life to its fullest, eating, drinking and being merry with a band of high school friends that any person on this planet would treasure as being tantamount to a pantheon of guardian angels. Again, a notorious nerd, I graduated from the prestigious High Technology High School in Lincroft, NJ (ranked among the top 10 in the country this past year), and graduated with a 3.93 GPA from the Pennsylvania State University in May of 2000, earning a B.S. Degree in Psychology. I met my girlfriend, Cory, in 2001, and we've been together ever since. We JUST bought our first house, which was actually my grandparents' home, as my grandmother kindly sold it to me in the fashion of an heirloom as she has moved on to an assisted living facility 4 years after the passing of my grandfather.



After a strenuous session on a treadmill in February of 2007, my chest was hurting me quite a bit, and I expected that the onset of heart disease was coming, so, never a fan of Dr.'s offices, I realized I need to suck it up and go and get some blood work done. My regular Dr.'s office called me afterwards and stated my WBC count was very high (137,000) and referred me to go and see a Dr. Wallach. A quick WebMD search on high WBC counts tipped me off to the awful realization of what I was contending with. I met with Dr. Wallach, was told life changing news, and proceeded to have a needle rammed into my Hip Bone all in the same day. Probably in the top 3 worst days of my life; I don't think that waiting room was ever the same after hearing me scream. Dr. Wallach had me meet with Dr. Goldberg at Hackensack University Medical Center, who gave a very reasonable and to the point assessment of my situation and explained the history of the development of Gleevec along with the successes of its treatment. So we were encouraged. I began treatment, and had a strong hematological response within 2 weeks (going from 145,000 to 96,000). The next week it was at (27,000), then it was normal, and has stayed as such since. At 12 months, I had another Bone Marrow Aspiration (much better this time around, bit more PREPARED), and it showed it was working well, just kinda slowly. They bumped the dosage to 800 mg a day. Just this past month, I had my third BMB, and the marrow looks normal and my BCRAbl results are at 0.002, and now I met Zavie via email, and here I am.



I'm a huge New York Giants fan, and I try to remember how dismal it looked for us late in the 4th quarter of Super Bowl XLII against the Patriots, and how the Giants, facing such a strong opponent, never, ever gave up hope and just kept fighting, how Eli Manning kept pumping his legs with 3 hands on his jersey and kept FIGHTING, and then aired it out to David Tyree who had to catch the ball on his helmet BUT WOULD NOT LET GO. Its the perfect example of how if you have heart, you can beat even seemingly insurmountable odds. And if they didn't give up, I won't (or at least I'll try my best not to.)

Hi Dr Drucker,



I was diagnosed with CML in October 2008, here in the UK I an fortunate to have one of the best Haemotologists Dr N Blesing looking after me, it is one thing to be told you have leukaemia, but a lift when your told there is good news " Glivec Imatinib" which is had a profound effect in 3 weeks, I wish I could shake your hand for giving us the opportunity of a future

in your case the nobel prize for medicine marvels



Best wishes



Mark

Dear Dr.Druker:



Thanks so much for giving my old darling (79) many more years. It seems so totally inadequate to just say thanks, but be assured our gratitude is immense.



Gene Larcher

Thanks doc for continuing on with STI when Novartis discouraged you.

Dear Dr Druker,



I am so fortunate to live in this time to be able to benefit from your wonderful drug. I was diagnosed in July 2007 and started Glivec on the 27/9/07. In January I had my first PCR since dx and already have a 2.6 log reduction.



Thank you very much for your expertise and persistance to get this wonder drug marketted and saved my life.



Cheers Linda from Australia

Dr. Druker,



Thank you very much for being concerned about the CML community. I was diagnosed with CML on June 12, 2007. Having taken Gleevec since June 27, 2007 I just received my first BCR/ABL negative FISH result. Because of your research and desire to cure, you have provided opportunity for thousands diagnosed with this disease. Thank you, and please know that we appreciate your hard work. My wife, and young son also thank you. They need me around and with Gleevec that is happening.



Dennis

To be a Father...



Dear Doctor Druker,



My name is Stephen Vail and I was diagnosed with CML on July 10th of 2006. I was scared. I was 26 at the time, and had my whole life ahead of me. My family rushed to my side and did thier best to comfort me. The first week in the ICU was a struggle. I was extremely ill, and went through numerous proceedures to contril my white blood cell count. Though I was able to handle the severity of my situation, there was one aspect I was not prepared to accept. a little background...



My Father passed when I was 3 weeks old. I have the most fantastic Mother who served as both parents through my childhood. However, one cannot underestimate the importance of having that male influence. On my 7th birthday my mother remarried and went on to have 5 more children. 7 in all including me and my older sister. Growing up with them and experiencing the joy of growth and learning it became clear to me the reason I was put here on Earth. I was to be everything that I missed in my childhood. I was to be the best Father that I could ever be.



I was terrified that is some cruel twist of fate, I was going to be denied the one opportunity that I believed was my destiny.



That is where you and your team come in. I was placed on steady regimine of Gleevec, and I my health continues to improve.



I am very proud to say that Anthony is 7 months old and the most beautiful child I have ever laid eyes upon (ok, maybe I'm a little biased). You have given me something more precious than I have ever experienced in 27 years on this planet.



You have given me the ability to have a catch with my son.



For that I will be eternally grateful.



The best to you and yours as you have providded that for me,



Stephen Vail

With deep gratitude.



Jeff

Son, brother, husband and father

Dear Dr. Druker, my name is Imola and i've received a CML diagnosis in half September 2006. In the hematologic center led by Dr. Maria Cantonetti I have been cured with Glivec and after a series of investigations are coming to know who was the father of this discovery. His time is valuable because it uses this to find a way to save many people, however, if will also have a moment to read these rows, it would the most beautiful Christmas gift I ever received.



Thanks.

Thankyou Dr. Druker for this miricale drug.

I was first diagnosed with cml in 1992 and had a sibling bone marrow transplant in 1993. I had 10 years of remission, but unfortunately relapsed in 2003. The news was devastating until I began Glivec(the Australian spelling). I have been taking Glivec now for 2 1/2 years and have had great results, I now have 100% donor marrow again and last pcr was 0.07. I have recently increased the glivec dose to 600mg from 400 in the hope that this will completely remove cml. I have very few side effects and compared to bmt this is a breeze. I am so thankful for this drug and the hope it represents

Dear Dr. Druker,



I'm 26 years old and diagnosed March 2006. I'm using Glivec for about a year and everything is going well. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Dear Dr. Drucker:



I am 73 years young and was dx'd June 2006. I dont have to tell you what a shock this was to get something like this at my age. I live in NYC and an fortunate to have a wonderful doctor-Michael Flamm MD at NY Presbyterian Hospital.

After I was hospitalized I had to have my platelets reduced dramatically. Dr. Flamm started me on 400mgs Gleevec after my wbc came up to 2. I had a cytogenetic test in September 06 which showed no leukemia cells. I am due for another one this month, but the liver enzymes are somewhat high. Will see Dr. Flamm next week for another test.

My main point is that from what I have read and heard about you gives me a good feeling. You have been a shining light in the darkness. I hope our paths will cross one day. It would be an honor to meet you. Thank you for giving me the chance to enjoy my 7 grandchildren, have more years with my husband who will be 80 on Valentines day and to enjoy the rest of my life.

Dear Dr Druker

I was diagnosed with CML last September, and through this wonderful drug imatinib, have achieved excellent results at the 3 month stage - 2% PH+ in my bone marrow as opposed to 96% on diagnosis. I would just like to add my heartfelt thanks for all your hard work which has led to such a brighter future for CML patients. Thank you so much....

Janet

Dear Dr. Druker,



My son, Nicholas, turned 21 yesterday. He was able to do so because he starting taking Gleevec at 17, when he was diagnosed with CML. You saved his life.

There are no words to even come close to expressing how grateful I am to you. I cry just writing this--I am so thankful for what you've done. I hope you live a long and joyful life, because you deserve it.

{{{a thousand hugs}}}

very sincerely,

Tamara, Eric, and Nick

I want to give you a very sincere thank you for your work. Without your hard work I would not be alive, and for that I will forever be in your debt.

I am #961 on Zavie's list, and it is thanks to you I am able to be here to finally thank you. I was diagnosed in April of 04, and have been in remission since I believe in May. You are truly a hero in my eyes. Thank you again Dr, Druker.



Terry Michael Dailey

Dear Dr. Drukker,



Words are not enough to thank you for what you have done to improve the life of CML patients. May GOD bless you.

Dear Dr. Drucker

You are wonderful, all the appreciation words are not enough to thank you for the hope you gave to the CML patients, I can not express myself more but really thanks

Dear Dr. Druker,

You are my hero! My daughter Laura, 19, was diagnosed on 12/13/2005 with CML, and started on Gleevec on 12/19, 400mg. Guess What! on June 13, exactly 6 months after diagnosis, Laura is PCRU! with a Complete Molecular Remission! After months of darkness and worry for our beautiful bright shining-star girl, we have complete joy - and all because of you. I wish I could do something for you and your family that would somehow begin to approach the joy you have brought to mine. We look forward to seeing you in July, and can't wait to tell you in person - Thank you so VERY much!

with love, from the Binder family -

Tom, Debbie, Laura, and Sarah

Thank you so much for your great work and for Gleevec. I was diagnosed in Jan 03, was still not PCRU a year later so dose raised to 800mg. Now on 600 and last PCR was 0.0005 just a week ago 6May06. I think my wife has finally stopped holding her breath! May God bless you in your continued research, and thanks again!