A Boundless Patient Story

Vince credits the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center team for not only treating his cancer but also providing personalized care that helped him reclaim his life.

• Vince’s life was upended when unexplained fatigue and sharp rib pain was diagnosed as multiple myeloma, a rare and life-threatening blood cancer.
• A stem cell transplant stabilized him for a while, but when his cancer returned, he came to the UC Cancer Center for access to groundbreaking treatments and clinical trials that weren’t available anywhere else nearby.
• The first patient in the region to receive allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy, Vince experienced a remarkable recovery, regaining strength and vitality with the support of a compassionate care team at every turn.

“Every patient deserves a team like mine,” Vince says. “Because of them, I’m here. And I’m hopeful for the future.”

If you or a loved one is facing a cancer diagnosis, you need a team of experts in your corner. Contact the UC Cancer Center at 513-585-UCCC.  

With more than 200 clinical trials, the groundbreaking research being done right here in Cincinnati is offering more treatment options from a team that pushes past boundaries to discover what’s next in cancer care.

From Diagnosis to Survival: A Multiple Myeloma Patient’s Story

Vince was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare and aggressive blood cancer that originates in abnormal plasma cells found in the bone marrow. Multiple myeloma patients often experience symptoms like unexplained fatigue and bone pain, which can be mistaken for other conditions. The doctor told him that if he had waited just six weeks more, he would have been beyond treatment.

Despite the devastating news, Vince remained strong. His journey would take him to hospitals across the country, but it was at the UC Cancer Center that he found the care and team that would help him reclaim his life.

Grateful for his recovery, Vince is filled with hope for the future, knowing that the right care and support made all the difference.

Recognizing the Signs of Multiple Myeloma: A Survivor’s Perspective

In 2014, Vince was at the top of his game. As a Florida high school teacher and football coach, he was immersed in a life he loved—mentoring students, coaching on the field, spending time with his family, and enjoying hobbies like fishing. Life was busy, but good.

Then, the unexplainable fatigue began. It was subtle at first, easy to dismiss as just the wear and tear of a full schedule. But when Vince experienced sharp rib pain during a workout, he knew something was wrong. He was sleeping every night on two 40-pound bags of ice for the pain but planned to push through. When he finally decided to get a professional opinion for reassurance, it quickly turned into a whirlwind of appointments, tests, and an unexpected diagnosis.

“I thought, this can’t be right. I was healthy and active. But when the oncologist hugged me the next day, I knew it was serious,” Vince recalls. “I’m not even thinking about cancer because I came in there like a lion. I went in like a lion, and I left like a lamb.”

Home for Healing

After his diagnosis, Vince made the difficult decision to leave his life in Florida and return to his hometown of New Miami, Ohio. This move allowed him to focus on his treatment while being surrounded by the support of his extended family. In Dayton, Vince underwent a stem cell transplant at a local hospital, a critical step in managing his blood cancer.

A bone marrow transplant, also called a stem cell transplant, is a lifesaving treatment for multiple myeloma patients. It replaces damaged blood cells with healthy stem cells, restoring the body's ability to fight infections and maintain normal blood cell production. Many multiple myeloma survivors rely on this therapy to stabilize their condition before moving on to additional treatment options like CAR-T cell therapy.These cells, called stem cells, are the building blocks of your blood and immune system. When diseases like cancer damage these cells, a transplant can help restore the body’s ability to produce healthy blood cells. The process typically involves collecting healthy stem cells—either from the patient (before treatment) or a donor—and then giving them back to the patient.

Although stem cell transplants can be lifesaving, they are complex and carry risks. Side effects can include infections or fatigue. Vince experienced these challenges firsthand as he required inpatient care for 16 days and found it difficult to manage everyday tasks like house chores or even walking short distances as his body worked to recover. Despite these struggles, the transplant gave Vince several years of stability.

Dr. Edward Faber, a nationally recognized expert in multiple myeloma at the UC Cancer Center, and Gina Young, Dr. Faber’s nurse practitioner and partner in care, were closely involved as  consultants on Vince’s case, ensuring he received the best possible care.

“Even after the transplant, Dr. Faber and Gina stayed connected,” Vince shares. “It was comforting to know they were there, looking out for me.”

But in time, Vince’s cancer returned, and his options began to run out. That’s when he made the decision to be seen by the UC Cancer Center full-time. It was a fresh start for Vince, one that would ultimately change the course of his life.

CAR-T Cell Therapy for Multiple Myeloma

A Breakthrough in Treatment for Cancer

For Vince, choosing the UC Cancer Center meant having access to the unique benefits of an academic medical center and the boundless care available to every patient. It means a combination of leading-edge research, advanced treatments, and a team of highly trained specialists collaborating to provide personalized care. Cancer patients can access new therapies, clinical trials, and specialists who are not only experts in their field but also actively involved in shaping the future of cancer care.

“Vince was the first patient in the region to receive the innovative allogeneic CAR-T treatment for multiple myeloma,” Dr. Faber says.

While a stem cell transplant helps your body rebuild and recover by replacing damaged blood cells with healthy ones, allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy is a new cutting-edge treatment that takes immune cells from a donor and reprograms them to fight cancer. This therapy focuses on attacking and destroying cancer cells directly.

CAR-T cell therapy for multiple myeloma is a groundbreaking immunotherapy treatment that harnesses the power of T cells to fight cancer cells. Unlike traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, CAR-T therapy directly reprograms the immune system to attack myeloma cells. Vince became the first patient in the region to undergo allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy, offering new hope to others battling this aggressive blood cancer.

Vince’s Comeback

The CAR T-cell therapy was a turning point.

Vince noticed the difference almost immediately, describing how his body began to heal in ways he hadn’t imagined possible..
“I went in feeling weak and left feeling strong,” Vince shares. “It was incredible.”

After coming home from his hospital stay, he was able to immediately return to house chores such as vacuuming. It may sound insignificant, but for Vince, being able to vacuum the floor was a huge win. It gave him the confidence that each day could be better than the last. That confidence was matched by the dedication and positivity of his cancer care team that encouraged him through each visit.

Today, Vince is thriving. He describes himself as a “lion cub”—not quite back to his full strength but growing stronger every day. He’s resumed activities he loves, from traveling to spending time with family. And he’s filled with gratitude for the team that helped him get here.

“I tell everyone, the UC Cancer Center gave me my life back,” Vince says. “Dr. Faber, Gina, and their team didn’t just treat my cancer; they treated me as a person. Thanks to them, I’m back to living my best life.”

Academic Medicine with a Personal Touch

Vince’s story is a testament to the power of academic medicine. At the UC Cancer Center, patients like Vince have access to boundless cancer care that includes groundbreaking treatments, multidisciplinary care teams, and a level of personalization that makes all the difference.

For Vince, the journey from lion cub to lion is far from over—but with the right care and support, he’s confident he’ll roar again.

Learn more about the exceptional cancer care available at the UC Cancer Center. From screenings and preventive care to treatments and supportive services, our team is ready to be part of your team. Call 513-585-UCCC.