Madison Reporter

In 2017, John Chase, a former child protection investigator from Rockford, Illinois, was preparing for retirement. However, his plans were interrupted by an advanced cancer diagnosis in 2018. After a career at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Chase faced a new challenge with stage 3B non-small cell lung cancer.

Chase's medical journey began with a persistent cough that led to an X-ray and bronchoscopy revealing a tumor in his lung. Under the care of Dr. Emily Rogers and oncologist Dr. Nameer Mardini at UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center Rockford, he underwent radiation therapy and chemotherapy starting in January 2019.

Despite the initial treatment success, Chase's cancer metastasized to his lymph nodes by 2020. With immunotherapy no longer effective, genetic testing revealed a mutation in the ALK gene. This discovery allowed for targeted therapy using alectinib, which has since stabilized his condition.

Dr. Mardini emphasized the importance of identifying genetic mutations for tailoring treatment: “Identifying mutations like this is crucial for tailoring therapy, ensuring patients receive the most effective targeted treatment options.”

Chase continues to pursue his passions in theater and winemaking while managing side effects with support from UW Health’s multidisciplinary team. Now 65 years old, he remains active in local productions and enjoys time with family.

Reflecting on his experience, Chase shared: “A kind nurse told me to ‘fight like hell,’ but I never saw this as a fight...I saw a path forward to work through this dysfunction.”