In 2006, Tony Chomo was involved in a motorcycle accident. But, his injuries seemed minor, and Tony went home. One month later, he found himself having a hard time breathing normally.  Tony went to the emergency room at Northridge Hospital. An EKG ruled out a heart attack, but fluid was found surrounding his lung, and was drained.  Tests on the fluid revealed abnormal mesothelial cancer cells, and Tony was diagnosed was malignant pleural mesothelioma.

When Erwin Bergquist, a three-year mesothelioma survivor and patient of Dr. Robert Cameron, came in for his regular check-up in May, 2008, he handed Dr. Cameron a check without saying a word.  The check was for $150,000.00 — the largest single gift from a patient in the history of PHLBI.

David Vanderhyde was diagnosed with pleural malignant mesothelioma (epithelial type – epithelium are tissue membranes that line the internal organs),  in October 2006, and  was instructed by his oncologist to begin chemotherapy right away.  A month later, he began the standard regimen of Alimta with Cisplatin, however, his oncologist included a non-standard targeted therapy drug as well called Avastin (Bevacizumab), which is not a chemotherapy drug but rather an anti-angiogenesis therapy.

As Larry Kinseth, his wife Shari, and their daughter repacked their bags to leave Los Angeles for home in Iowa, Larry shared some insight on his treatment for pleural mesothelioma, excitement on seeing his grandchildren, and plans for many upcoming golf games. Larry was 68 years old when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, epithelial type.  Seeking the best treatment, Larry met with a local oncologist, later flew to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, but eventually landed in Los Angeles to undergo Dr. Robert Cameron’s treatment protoco