Chasing My Cure: A Doctor's Race to Turn Hope into Action; A Memoir

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LOS ANGELES TIMES AND PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLER . The powerful memoir of a young doctor and former college athlete diagnosed with a rare disease who spearheaded the search for a cure-and became a champion for a new approach to medical research. "A wonderful and moving chronicle of a doctor's relentless pursuit, this book serves both patients and physicians in demystifying the science that lies behind medicine."-Siddhartha Mukherjee,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Emperor of All MaladiesandThe Gene David Fajgenbaum, a former Georgetown quarterback, was nicknamed the Beast in medical school, where he was also known for his unmatched mental stamina. But things changed dramatically when he began suffering from inexplicable fatigue. In a matter of weeks, his organs were failing and he was read his last rites. Doctors were baffled by his condition, which they had yet to even diagnose. Floating in and out of consciousness, Fajgenbaum prayed for a second chance, the equivalent of a dramatic play to second the game into overtime. Miraculously, Fajgenbaum survived-only to endure repeated near-death relapses from what would eventually be identified as a form of Castleman disease, an extremely deadly and rare condition that acts like a cross between cancer and an autoimmune disorder. When he relapsed while on the only drug in development and realized that the medical community was unlikely to make progress in time to save his life, Fajgenbaum turned his desperate hope for a cure into concrete action- Between hospitalizations he studied his own charts and tested his own blood samples, looking for clues that could unlock a new treatment. With the help of family, friends, and mentors, he also reached out to other Castleman disease patients and physicians, and eventually came up with an ambitious plan to crowdsource the most promising research questions and recruit world-class researchers to tackle them. Instead of waiting for the scientific stars to align, he would attempt to align them himself. More than five years later and now married to his college sweetheart, Fajgenbaum has seen his hard work pay off- A treatment he identified has induced a tentative remission and his novel approach to collaborative scientific inquiry has become a blueprint for advancing rare disease research. His incredible story demonstrates the potency of hope, and what can happen when the forces of determination, love, family, faith, and serendipity collide. Praise for Chasing My Cure "A page-turning chronicle of living, nearly dying, and discovering what it really means to be invincible in hope."-Angela Duckworth, #1New York Timesbestselling author ofGrit " A remarkable memoir . . . Fajgenbaum writes lucidly and movingly . . . Fajgenbaum's stirring account of his illness will inspire readers."-Publishers Weekly

Reviews

An extraordinary memoir . . . It belongs with Atul Gawandes writings andWhen Breath Becomes Air.Adam Grant,New York Timesbestselling author ofOriginals

Dr. Fajgenbaum tells his own remarkable story of fighting a mysterious, nearly fatal multisystem disease, and of his brilliantdeduction that a long-known drug may be the cure. This bookpart detective story, part love story, part scientific questshows how one indefatigable physician can bring hope to patients who suffer from a rare disease.Michael S. Brown, MD, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Medicine, 1985

This is a remarkable and gripping story. Dr. Fajgenbaums description of his journey is a tale of courage, dedication, and brilliance that will enthrall and fascinate its readers.Arthur H. Rubenstein, professor of medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

Chasing My Cureis amedical thriller that grapples with penultimate stakesreal love, bedrock faith, and how we spend our time on earth. Fast-paced and achingly transparent, David Fajgenbaum's deeply thoughtful memoir will have you rethinking your life's priorities.Lynn Vincent, #1New York Timesbestselling co-author ofHeaven is for RealandIndianapolis

Chasing My Cureis the riveting story of Dr. Fajgenbaums remarkable journey persevering through illness to medical discoveries and recovery.It is also a tributeto his rare spirit and intellect, the support of his family and friends, the power of modern science, and the role that patients can play to find new treatments.J. Larry Jameson MD, PhD, dean, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

This is afascinating true-life storyof a young doctor, stricken with a rare, life-threatening disease, who takes matters into his own hands and, with total focus, finds a cure. . . . An informative and inspiring read.Andrew Weil, MD

I was riveted from the very first to the very last page of this extraordinary story of life, assumed death, resilience, and hope. I am convinced that through his incredible journey, David Fajgenbaum has acquired superpowers that will no doubt shape the lives of others.Nicole Boice, founder Global Genes

Chasing My Cure is an extremely powerful story about turning fear into faith, and hope into action. David Fajgenbaums ferocious will to survive and his leadership in the face of his rare disease provides a model pathway for others searching for cures of their own to follow.Stephen Groft, Pharm.D., former director, Office of Rare Diseases Research, National Institutes of Health

Moving . . . A powerful, highly personal chronicle of a doctors feverish rush to find a cure for the disease that afflicts him.Kirkus Reviews

Author Bio

David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc, is a graduate of Georgetown University, the University of Oxford, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Wharton School. An assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and the associate director for the Orphan Disease Center, he is cofounder and executive director of the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network, as well as the cofounder of the National Students of Ailing Mothers and Fathers Support Network. Dr. Fajgenbaum has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Forbes "30 Under 30" for healthcare and the RARE Champion of Hope Award for science. He has been profiled by major media outlets such as The New York Times, Forbes, Science, Reader's Digest, and the Today show. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Caitlin, and their daughter, Amelia.