Hannelore's Clinical Trial Success
It’s been nearly six years since Hannelore Scheppach was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. After three years of ineffective chemotherapy treatment, Hannelore decided to try another promising option—ZENO: ZN-E4-001 clinical trial. Clinical trials are at the heart of all medical advances. The goal of these trials is to find new and better ways to diagnose, treat, and cure disease so that patients can have an improved quality of life. People who participate in clinical trials make it possible for this to occur.
“The first three years I had chemo, I didn't do too well,” she said. “Then I gave the clinical trial a try, and it was amazing how the treatment worked for me. I feel good, I'm happy, and with the help of the research team, I’m able to lead a very normal life.”
Yet, Hannlore’s life is far from ordinary. It’s special. Having been in the restaurant business since 1970, she is probably the only person, who at 87-years-old, is battling lung cancer and was still going to work as a server until the pandemic happened. She came from a small family in Germany, and when she was 33-years-old, she moved with her husband to New York. They didn’t have any children, and he has since passed, but Hannelore finds contentment in simplicity. She enjoys time alone, meditating, cooking, watching sports, and spending time with friends that she considers family, including the members of her care team.
“I feel like NYCBS is my family,” she said. “I’ve always felt very comfortable when I come here. They are so good to me, and we talk to each other about everything. They are certainly specialists who know what they are doing and like what they're doing. They are wonderful.”
October 28, 2021, marked Hannelore’s third year on the trial and 50th cycle, making her the longest-running research patient of New York Cancer & Blood Specialists (NYCBS). At 88-years-old, Hannelore is happy and healthy. Dr. Chu and the research team surprised her with flowers, cake, and a gift card to celebrate her success and 88th birthday.
“The research program is a wonderful thing. It might feel like you are a guinea pig, but there’s nothing to lose. I mean, look at me. I'm here, and I do so well for my age. So I thank everybody who helped me.”
For more information, contact the Research Department at 631-675-5075.