Cancer Clinical Trials Patient Has "Whole Team Behind Me"

When Rahimah’s colorectal cancer returned, she vowed to fight the disease and not give up.

Fortunately, she has a mighty ally in her corner: HonorHealth Research Institute, which is providing her with expert, compassionate care and access to clinical trials offering leading-edge treatments.

“The doctors and nurses are close with their patients and everyone knows my name,” says Rahimah. “I have a whole team behind me to provide care and monitor everything closely. They are always ready with another option or opportunity to try something else right away.”

A teacher, instructional coach and author of several books, Rahimah underwent multiple surgeries and chemotherapy after initially being diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer in 2018. After the cancer returned and spread to her lungs, she turned to HonorHealth Research Institute in early 2021.

Rahimah was enrolled in a clinical trial of a new cancer drug that HonorHealth Research Institute was among the first to offer. After six months on the drug, her tumors had grown larger but had not spread to new sites. Looking for an even better treatment option, Rahimah began a new clinical trial in September 2021.

According to Sunil Sharma, MD, HonorHealth Research Institute chief of translational oncology research and drug development, the new clinical trial is studying a novel therapy. HonorHealth Research Institute is one of the few places in the nation to offer the study, which involves a new drug that modifies proteins on cancer cells to make immunotherapy more effective.

"I appreciate that HonorHealth Research Institute can provide studies of innovative new ways to treat my cancer," says Rahimah, who also is grateful that transportation to and from her study treatments is provided through a patent assistance fund for cancer patients at HonorHealth Research Institute and HonorHealth Cancer Care.

Last, but certainly not least, she is thankful for philanthropic support of HonorHealth Research Institute’s cancer clinical trials. “It’s critical,” Rahimah says, “because without it, these studies wouldn’t be available.”

Help make access to leading-edge clinical trials possible by supporting the HonorHealth Research Institute.

 For more information on oncology clinical trials at HonorHealth Research Institute, please call the Oncology Nurse Navigation Team at 480-323-1364 or email clinicaltrials@honorhealth.com.