Barbara Ackerman, 72, lung cancer, Plymouth, with Pasi Jänne, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President for Translational Medicine, Dana-Farber

WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon

Dr. Jänne received his MD and PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in 1996. He completed postgraduate training in internal medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and in medical oncology at DFCI in 2001. He is the Senior Vice President for Translational Medicine and the Scientific Director of the Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science. His main research interests include studying the therapeutic relevance of oncogenic alterations in lung cancer. He was one of the co-discoverers of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and has led the development of therapeutic strategies for patients with EGFR mutant lung cancer.

In September 2020, amid downsizing to a forever home with her husband, Barbara Ackerman, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.

After experiencing persistent back pain, a chiropractor suggested an x-ray, leading her to consult her doctor. She knew she wanted to be treated at Dana-Farber due to its reputation, and Dr. Janne, a specialist in EGFR, was highly recommended. Doctors found tumors not only in her lung, but bones, liver, and spine as well. Despite her diagnosis, she is now on her fifth line of treatment and second clinical trial, feeling wonderful and experiencing no side effects.