Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

A Leading Scientist Studying Precision Medicine Approaches for Leukemia and Lymphoma

Dr. Tak Wah Mak is one of the world’s most cited and accomplished scientists. After earning his PhD, Mak was recruited by the Ontario Cancer Institute (now Princess Margaret Cancer Centre) in Toronto, Canada, for a postdoctoral fellowship. 

A Leading Researcher Advancing Immunotherapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

I endured poor-prognosis acute myeloid leukemia (AML), multiple rounds of brutal chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and an open heart surgery - all for only a small chance of survival. The journey since has been more than difficult. Lingering effects of the lifesaving treatments seem endless.

In 1994, at the age of 29 I was diagnosed with stage IV acute myelogenous leukemia. I was told there was a five percent chance  that I would survive. Having a husband and three kids, I was devastated!

I never thought this could happen to me, and it was a long hard fight, but I did it. 

I support LLS because leukemia and lymphoma has impacted my family. On Mother’s Day, in 2006, my cousin's 6-year-old daughter, Sydney, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). After a year of fighting so hard, Sydney passed away.

In 2011, I was given two months to live after I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

I had to stay at the Bone Marrow Transplant Center at the Salt Lake City Hospital for a very long time and undergo a very hard fight.

My aortic valve failed this year from the chemo, but I had open heart surgery in May 2017 and I am grateful to be alive!