By: Ralph Knapp, Co-founder KC Coalition

My story began June 9, 2014, the day I was told I had cancer…..kidney cancer and that it had spread to my lungs. Wow…not me…I’m only 53!

The first appointment with a local surgeon in Virginia Beach, my wife Brenda and I were told I had 2 to 3 years, we left that appointment in shock, disbelief and tears. Within 2 weeks, thru divine intervention, I was a patient at Johns Hopkins and had my right kidney removed and a partial lung resection.

Three months later, September 2014 my story begins with my oncologist Dr. Hans Hammers, a kidney cancer specialist and researcher at Johns Hopkins, now at UT Southwestern Dallas.  My first post op scan revealed two cancerous nodules in my lungs. I’ll never forget his words “Cancer is back” in his thick German accent. Once again, shock and sadness.

He then told us about a randomized trial that involved two immunotherapy drugs which had shown success in earlier clinical trials. After weighing my options, I decided to wait for the trial to open. After 5 agonizing months of no treatment, I was randomized to the standard of care drug. After six weeks my tumors seemed to explode on this drug and he immediately put me on an off-label use drug.This drug halted the cancer progression, but made me feel terrible.

While on this drug, I continued to research my next treatment option. I read a blog on Smart Patients about a new trial Dr. Hammers wanted to start at Johns Hopkins with the same immunotherapy drugs plus high dose radiation…but he needed funding!!

We learned Dr. Hammers had secured millions of drugs through BMS and was trying to get funding from various departments at JH. We let him know that if he needed us, we would help. On June 9, 2015 (1 year to the date of my diagnosis) Hans called and said he could use our help. Within a month, 103 of my friends, family and business associates came together and contributed $300,000 for the RADAX clinical trial for 25 advanced kidney cancer patients!!

My personal journey continues as I fight this cancer. I am currently in my 4th clinical trial at NIH National Institutes of Health.

I have come to realize my survival rate as well as 60,000 other newly diagnosed kidney cancer patients depends on cutting edge research. These efforts need funding!!!

After a thorough search for a private funding vehicle for kidney cancer research, it was obvious there was a need for a national non-profit to fund kidney cancer research.  In July 2016, my wife and I co-founded Kidney Cancer Coalition.  Since 2016, the KC Coalition has put over $600,000 in the hands of researchers.

This has become my hope and my passion to raise funds for research, clinical trials and find a cure for Kidney Cancer.

– Ralph Knapp

By Merlinda Chelette

August 2012, I learned I had Stage IV Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer). For several months I had been experiencing low back pain.  Thinking that I had pulled a muscle while working as an ER Nurse, I ignored this pain.  Finally the pain became too intense and I sought medical care. A CT scan revealed I had a tumor in my right kidney with a metastatic lesion to my 2nd lumbar vertebrae. I immediately thought “Hey God, it’s me”.

As my husband and I drove home with the news of cancer, I looked at my wonderful husband of 24 years realizing all our dreams of growing old together had vanished. My future looked bleak and my dreams were shattered. When I asked my husband “what are we going to do?” He immediately responded “We are going to trust God. He will see us through. He has never left us nor forsaken us. He is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Amen.

God indeed has been faithful these last 4 years. He has seen me through two back surgeries, one kidney removal surgery and three rounds of high dose radiation.

When I came to UTSW to participate in a clinical trial, I met Dr. Brugarolas and a fellow kidney cancer patient, Tony. Both encouraged me to participate as a volunteer and be a member of the patient council. Through my volunteering at UTSW, I was able to meet other Stage IV kidney cancer patients. My eyes were opened to the fact that some patients do not respond to current therapies and die within 20 months. I suddenly realized that I was unusually blessed to be a 4 year survivor of Stage IV kidney cancer.

After the loss of a dear man in his thirties, I became energized with the desire to help raise funds and awareness for kidney cancer research. We are losing too many men, women and children to this dreadful disease. I ask you to join us!  Research Saves Lives!

“Alone we can do little but together we can do much!”

– Merlinda Chelette

“Kidney cancer is the ideal sandbox for these new approaches, and without a doubt the same approach can, should and will be suitable for other cancers”