Stage IV ALK Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Clara's Patient Story

Patient Info: Clara, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ALK-positive / ALK-rearranged after repeat Tempus testing

Metastatic Site: Pelvis; spleen

As of February 2026, ALK-targeted therapy had improved Clara’s symptoms enough that she no longer needed a walker or cane, and upcoming scans would determine whether pelvic tumor surgery remained an option.

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Stage IV HER2-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Lauren's Patient Story

Patient Info: Lauren, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: HER2 mutation

Metastatic Site: Bones/ribs/shoulder; liver

As of September 2025, after about 4 months of targeted therapy, Lauren reported better quality of life, resolved bone pain, improved liver pain, improved liver enzymes, and manageable infusion-week side effects.

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How Clinical Trials Helped Me Fight Stage 4 Cancer

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ALK-positive / ALK-rearranged

Metastatic Site: Not specified

As of December 2024, this anonymized patient described living 10.5 years with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer and said her current clinical-trial treatment was working, with tumors shrinking.

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Lung Cancer: Jill's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jill Feldman, Female

Biomarkers: Biomarker testing performed; specific personal biomarker not reported

As of December 2024, Jill described living with lung cancer for 15 years and credited biomarker testing and targeted therapies with helping her live longer, although no current NED status was stated.

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Stage IV HER2-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Samantha's Patient Story

Patient Info: Samantha, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: HER2 mutation

Metastatic Site: Lungs/pleural fluid; liver

As of November 2024, Samantha reported a 55% reduction across the board on chemotherapy plus immunotherapy, few side effects, improved energy, and enough function to hike, work, and feel more like herself.

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Stage IV EGFR Lung Cancer: Ivy's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Ivy E., Female, 40s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: EGFR mutation

Metastatic Site: Bone: elbow, cervical spine/neck, rib, pelvis; brain

As of January 2024, Ivy reported no evidence of disease 1 year after right upper lobectomy, after years of response to EGFR-targeted therapy for initially Stage IV lung cancer.

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Stage IV EGFR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Tiffany's Patient Story

Patient Info: Tiffany, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: EGFR mutation

Metastatic Site: Bone: pelvis, right femur, cervical spine

As of March 2023, Tiffany had benefited from Tagrisso plus Cyramza, but later CT findings suggested worsening disease and she had started a new early-stage clinical trial with results pending.

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Lung Cancer Patient Stories: Clinical Trials (& Patient Self-Advocacy!) | Shyreece’s Story (3 of 4)

Patient Info: Shyreece Pompey, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Actionable biomarker identified by biomarker testing; specific mutation not stated

Metastatic Site: Not reported

As of March 2022, Shyreece was living with Stage IV lung cancer after moving from an initial chemotherapy cocktail to an unnamed targeted therapy pill and later participating in a clinical trial.

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Stage IV Lung Cancer: Jeff's Patient Story

Patient Info: Jeff Meckstroth, Male | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Mutation identified by liquid biopsy; specific mutation not reported

Metastatic Site: Brain

As of November 2021, Jeff had lived more than 6 years after a Stage IV lung cancer diagnosis, with brain metastases cleared after an unnamed brain-penetrant therapy, while his cancer had progressed on multiple occasions.

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Stage III KRAS Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Terri's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Terri Conneran, Female | Stage III

Biomarkers: KRAS-mutated; PD-L1 level reviewed/tested

As of March 2021, Terri had Stage IIIA KRAS-mutated NSCLC with 3 local recurrences treated over time and had again reached no evidence of disease while continuing close surveillance and advocacy through KRAS Kickers.

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Stage IV Lung Cancer: Bill's Patient Story

Patient Info: Bill Smith, Male | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Genomic testing performed; specific result not reported

Metastatic Site: Brain; liver; bone/humerus

As of October 2016, Bill was receiving immunotherapy every 2 weeks, all tumors had shrunk, chemotherapy had stopped and he reported markedly improved quality of life while living with Stage IV lung cancer.

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