3 months ago
MASON NECK, Va. (WUSA) -- October 24, 2008 may be the worst day of Steve and Kathie Thompson's life. That's the day their 17-year-old daughter passed away after a four-and-a-half year fight with brain cancer.
That week had been normal for Krista; she went to school, walked her dog in the park, joked with friends and family, and her parents are thanking the recently FDA-approved drug, Avastin.
Steve Thompson described his family's dismay, "We really thought that we had the tumor beat, but unfortunately, that was not the case. Her tumor came back as a glioblastoma, which is the deadliest form of brain cancer there is."
That's when doctors told the Thompsons about Avastin. It is a drug just recently approved by the FDA. When taken in combination with chemotherapy, Avastin attacks a gene which, in turn, cuts off blood supply to the tumor. Soon after beginning treatment, she was able to return to school and her normal activities.
"Even four years into the disease, a lot of people did not know that she still had a brain tumor," said Kathie Thompson. "With the Avastin, from the spring when she started it until October 17, the Friday before, she was fine!"
Steve was impressed with the drugs effects as well, "Essentially when she started this, she was back as her normal self within I would say, three weeks."
Though Krista lost her battle with cancer a year ago, the Thompsons are not giving up before a cure is found. They have participated in influential panels and discussions that helped Avastin get approved by the FDA.
Avastin doesn't work for all patients, but in at least half, it chokes off the tumors growth when other therapies stop working.
"Avastin allowed Krista to live her life with quality and dignity, and it's going to do the same for a lot of other people," said Steve.
They are also focusing on fundraising for brain cancer research. This May will mark the 5th Race for Hope for Team Krista. Second only to the team by American Idol winner David Cook in number of members, Team Krista was able to raise $30,000 last year. That's three times their original goal.
Earlier this month, The National Brain Tumor Foundation awarded a research grant called The Krista Thompson Chair of Research to doctors in Baltimore.
For the Thompsons, it seems as though that marks only the beginning.
