Survived cancer
In 2009, after being diagnosed with melanoma and given a three percent chance of survival if I underwent the conventional treatment regimen, I was accepted as a patient in a melanoma clinical trial under the direction of The National Institutes of Health.
After five years of treatment and observation under the supervision of a great team of professionals, I was given a second chance at life. I can only hope that thousands of other people have the same opportunity that was given to me and can survive their illnesses, just as I did.
For that, I urge our Senators to support the budget for the National Cancer Institute. It is inhumane to deprive people of the possibility of a cure that can save their lives simply based on political reasons.
Max Blaya, Miami
This story was originally published April 18, 2017 at 11:50 PM with the headline "Survived cancer."