Cancer Patient's Research Is Critical to Save Lives

PJ Lukac, a 24-year-old Columbia University medical student, was faced with the worst news he could ever imagine — he is dying from a rare form of cancer that often fuels a fast-growing brain tumor.

In spite of his diagnosis, Lukac is not taking this fight against cancer lying down. After learning of his diagnosis and tiring of his fear, Lukac talked to Dr. Markus Bredel, the director of the Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute's research program, and told him that he wanted to study his own cancer in order to help others and save his life while he was at it.

Lukac became an assistant researcher under Bredel’s direction and together, the research lab identified the genes that are crucial in forming glioblastoma, the type of tumor Lukac has developed and shares with Senator Edward Kennedy. These genes dictate how the tumor will grow and Lukac's research will help doctors better treat it.

To read more about Lukac’s story, read this great Chicago Tribune article.