Proton therapy success stories

When San Franciscan Tracy Clifford found out he had a baseball-sized tumor on the base of his spine, he was told surgery was the most common treatment. But that came with the risk that he could lose all functionality below the waist, and there would still be a high risk of recurrence. After researching his options online, he found a paper published by Beaumont’s Peyman Kabolizadeh, M.D., and discovered proton therapy was an option. 

“I looked at survivability, length of life and quality of life. Right now, I’m living life to the fullest and have a beautiful wife. We travel, entertain friends and are diehard Giants fans,” explained Tracy. “Beaumont has the most advanced equipment, and someone who is familiar with treatments for my rare cancer. I felt that gave me the best chance of success. Dr. Kabolizadeh has the vehicle and knows how to drive it! Every time we spoke, he was honest, open and candid. His candor was refreshing.”

Bill Baker wasn’t a stranger to cancer; from a colon cancer diagnosis to a brain tumor found in 2009, he found out in 2016 the brain tumor came back. It was meningioma, which forms on the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Left untreated, the tumor’s growth can be life-threatening.

He heard about Beaumont’s new Proton Therapy Center while channel surfing one day. He stumbled on a PBS special that highlighted the new treatment coming to Michigan. “The more I learned about proton therapy technology, it boggled my mind - positively charged particles, accelerated by a cyclotron, destroying cancer cells. It’s like something out of science fiction.”

When five-year-old Hudson Brown was diagnosed with a large brain tumor, he was like any other active kid – loving Legos and his favorite toy, the Transformers robot Bumblebee. His parents were determined to find a treatment for Hudson that wouldn’t leave him susceptible to the damage radiation can cause.

They found Beaumont’s Proton Therapy Center, and a team committed to making Hudson’s treatment experience a positive one.  That included daily visits from a therapy dog, Maddie, and a final treatment celebration featuring dozens of yellow “Bumblebee-style” cars, a transformers performer, and a special message from Transformers star Mark Wahlberg.

Raymond Ross was diagnosed with prostate cancer at 63 and was overwhelmed with his treatment options. His research led him to choose proton therapy, a less-invasive treatment option with fewer side effects than other treatments.

“The side effects of any prostate cancer treatment program can be scary. Fortunately for me, my only complaint was occasional fatigue.”

Aaron said being diagnosed with cancer has strengthened his faith in God and brought him closer to his now fiancee, Dee. Aaron’s diagnosis helped him recognize that what he’s been searching for, has been right there with him all along.

Between proton radiation therapy appointments at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Aaron is turning to his bible and acoustic guitar for inspiration in writing a special song for Dee.