029: From Diagnosis to the Finish Line - Alan Kaufman’s Journey of Resilience

In this powerful episode of the Believe in Progress Podcast, we are joined by Alan Kaufman, a former Northwell patient who overcame a near-fatal battle with (stage-4) metastatic melanoma. Our host Mitch Stoller, Chief Philanthropic Officer of the AACR, discusses Alan’s remarkable journey. Alan is an avid runner who has participated in the New York City Marathon every year since 1992, but his diagnosis forced him to miss the race in 2017. After his diagnosis in 2017, Alan underwent extensive treatment, including surgeries, Gamma Knife radiation, and immunotherapy, leading to his remission in 2020. By 2018, Alan was back on the marathon course, this time as an Achilles athlete, proving that resilience and hope can triumph over even the most daunting challenges. Alan continues to inspire others as he prepares to run in the New York City Marathon this fall. Part 1: The Diagnosis and Initial Treatment Alan Kaufman: Shares the moment he first noticed something was wrong, leading to his diagnosis of stage-4 metastatic melanoma. He also discusses the surgeries and treatments that followed, including the critical roles played by Dr. Michael Schulder and Dr. Craig Devoe in his care. Part 2: The Road to Recovery Alan Kaufman: Reflects on the recovery process, both physically and emotionally, and how his background as a runner and involvement with Achilles International played a pivotal role in his journey. He also recounts his experience participating in the New York City Marathon in 2018 after completing his treatments. Part 3: Life After Cancer and Future Aspirations - Alan Kaufman: Talks about his life in remission since 2020, the impact of immunotherapy on his treatment, and how his perspective on life has evolved. As he prepares for the upcoming New York City Marathon, Alan shares his goals and what this race symbolizes in his ongoing journey of resilience and determination. Guest Links: - AlanKaufman.com - Achilles International: https://www.achillesinternational.org/ - Facebook – AlanCoryKaufman - Instagram – @AlanKaufman - X – @AlanKaufman - LinkedIn – AlanCoryKaufman - YouTube – djkaufmana To listeners and followers of the Believe in Progress podcast: Your support is vital in driving progress against cancer. Please consider subscribing to our podcast, sharing this episode, and visiting AACR.org to learn more about how you can contribute to lifesaving cancer research. Every action helps us move closer to a world free from cancer. Thank you for listening to Believe in Progress. Alan Kaufman’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, medical innovation, and the human spirit. Subscribe to our podcast for more episodes that celebrate the strength of individuals like Alan and the ongoing advancements in cancer research. Remember: Supporting cancer research is crucial—every donation helps. Visit AACR.org to learn more and AACR.org/Donate to contribute to lifesaving research today. Together, we can make a difference. Cancer Research Saves Lives® Check out more episodes of Believe in Progress at AACR.org/BelieveInProgress. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. This episode is produced by CollegeCast LLC.

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