Fight Cancer. Make Time. > Scott Baker
Scott Baker has been fighting cancer since 1999. At just 29 years old, Scott was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in his abdomen. After treatment through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, Scott regained a sense of normalcy.
During remission, Scott got married, and he and his wife had two wonderful sons, Jacob and Shane.
Six years after this incredible time in his life, at age 35, Scott didn't quite feel like himself. He swiftly went to see his doctor, leading to a second diagnosis and a lifesaving stem cell transplant. He had four months of a second-line chemotherapy regimen followed by a lifesaving autologous stem cell transplant. Remission was once again achieved.
Though these therapy regimens gave him another few years in remission, Scott's health started to decline in 2011. Brain fog, mobility issues, and cognitive problems led to the discovery of a mass in his brain: a rare diagnosis of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma (PCNSL) and a year-long prognosis that, thankfully, he was able to beat. Because the boys were only 5 and 7 years old, he sought treatment locally for a very rare and difficult disease. Although remission was reached after five rounds of inpatient chemotherapy, his cancer quickly recurred, and he blacked out for nearly three months due to the location of the tumor in his brain. His wife was able to work with another local neuro-oncologist to have him admitted to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), where a team of experts in PCNSL brought him back to life. He had seven inpatient treatments at a higher dose, with the addition of chemotherapy administered directly into his brain and oral chemotherapy. For a fourth time, Scott and his team obtained remission, and he was admitted for a second autologous stem cell transplant.
After 28 days in isolation, Scott was discharged from MSKCC and was fortunate enough to stay at the American Cancer Society New York City Hope Lodge where he was encouraged by people from around the globe. These spaces of support, along with the support of family, friends, and colleagues, have been critical for Scott. He took leave from work for almost two years, but with the support of his colleagues who could loan him time, he was fortunately able to avoid financial struggle. Throughout this journey, Scott keeps the people who have inspired and supported him near and dear to his heart.
Scott is proud to have sons who are now 19 and 17. "It was priceless to be able to watch them grow up and go to college," he said.
Besides precious milestones and time spent with family, Scott's volunteerism and advocacy work is far-reaching. Along with his advocacy at ACS CAN, he supports the American Cancer Society Hope Club in New York, sits on a board of directors for an organization that provides financial assistance and emotional support to people affected by blood cancers, and has spent 13 years mentoring cancer survivors.