Nine years ago, John White was told that aggressive prostate cancer would take his life. The 59-year-old from North Attleborough, MA, had been diagnosed with stage 4 locally advanced and metastatic high-grade differentiation prostate cancer in 2014. Despite a family history of prostate cancer, the grim prognosis came as a surprise to the medical biotechnology engineer.

Advised to get his affairs in order, John instead put his positive attitude and over 3 decades of expertise in the biotech industry to use. Because of his career, John was familiar with many of the cancer programs in Boston, including Tufts Medical Center and renowned genitourinary oncologist Dr. Paul Mathew, MD.

Now, 8 years after beginning immunotherapy, John’s scans show no signs of disease. He has been off all treatment for almost 2 years. And while he retired from his long career during treatment, he hasn’t slowed down. He’s started a home repair and remodeling business and continues to ski, golf and play hockey in his spare time. But perhaps most importantly, John has become a deeply committed advocate for several leading cancer institutions, supporting patients and their families, serving as a mentor in the YMCA’s Livestrong program, traveling abroad to speak with cancer experts, and sharing a powerful message, “My case is exceedingly rare, but I tell anyone living with cancer to keep hope alive and hold on for the next big research discovery to come along. The landscape of cancer treatments is changing with the advent of targeted and precision therapies.”