Kansas City, Kan- Jim Ondick, a childhood cancer survivor, shared his journey from bilateral Retinoblastoma to stage four metastatic melanoma.

Diagnosed at six months, he lost his left eye at two.

In 2011, a biopsy cleared a suspicious mole, but in 2015, he developed swelling and chest pain. By 2016, his cancer had spread to his brain and lungs.

Treated with immunotherapy, he is now in remission. Dr. Gary Doolittle highlighted the genetic link between retinoblastoma and melanoma. 

Jim Ondick, patient

• Jim discusses the impact of losing his eye on his childhood, including social challenges and his inability to join the military due to vision issues.
• He reflects on the support he received from his wife and the medical team, emphasizing the collective effort in his recovery.
• Jim shares his involvement with Braden's Hope, a nonprofit supporting childhood cancer, and the importance of addressing pediatric cancer.

Dr. Gary Doolittle, Medical Oncologist, The University of Kansas Cancer Center

• Dr. Doolittle discusses the challenges of educating patients about their cancer and the importance of understanding gene mutations.
• He explains the genetic aspect of Jim's cancer, using the retinoblastoma gene as an example.
• Dr. Doolittle explains that due to a combination of oral immunotherapy, Jim has no evidence of disease (NED).