Dana-Farber Cancer Institute shared a post on LinkedIn:
“In September of 2025, Sari was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She initially began treatment in California, where she lives, but was urged by her family in Boston, Massachusetts, to seek a second opinion at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, given her very specific type of lung cancer.
‘My brother, Ed, was insistent that I call Dana-Farber. When I called to set up my appointment they asked me if I wanted to see a thoracic oncologist or one that specializes in my subtype of lung cancer, which is driven by a change in the ROS1 gene. I was shocked that a specialist in that field of study existed given how rare the diagnosis is. My husband Steve and I flew to Boston a month later,’ says Sari.
After meeting with Alice Shaw, an expert in ROS1 altered lung cancer, Sari’s treatment plan was quickly established, and she started on the newest ROS1-targeted therapy, research for which was led by her Dana-Farber oncologist. Sari takes the pill daily and is followed by her local oncologist in California, in collaboration with her Dana-Farber team.
‘When I was first diagnosed with cancer, my 13-year-old son asked me, ‘are you going to die?’ It was one of the hardest conversations that I have ever had. Nearly nine months later, I was able to return to a very normal family routine and my son often asks if I even have cancer. Today my once large tumor has dramatically shrunk, showing only scar tissue on a scan.’
‘I will receive treatment for the rest of my life, but Dana-Farber’s expertise in my rare type of cancer has extended my life. I feel indebted to Dana-Farber for changing my life, and also my brother and his wife for urging me to seek care there. My story is helping to redefine the future of cancer care and research.’
The generosity of our philanthropic community helps make stories like Sari’s possible. Funds donated to the Jimmy Fund directly impact cancer care and research at Dana-Farber, improving the lives of patients and families in Boston and around the world.”
You can also read: FDA Approves Taletrectinib Label Update With 49.7-Month Duration of Response in ROS1+ NSCLC
