Asian American & Pacific Islander Volunteer Caucus > Meet the Asian American & Pacific Islander Volunteer Caucus
Name: Tina Tankka
ACS CAN role/title: ACT Lead for Northern California District 10
Location: Lafayette, CA
How long you have been involved with ACS and/or ACS CAN: Involved for 3 years
I call it our story because it is a journey my husband and I have been taking together. In 2016 my husband was diagnosed with a rare blood disease called amyloidosis, treatments of which are directly taken from multiple myeloma remedies. The swiftness with how my husband's treatments were set in motion, I attribute to biomarker testing that was given early on in his diagnosis - chemo, therapy, immunotherapy, immunotherapy again, and finally, an immunotherapy that is a bispecific T-cell engager. Both biomarker testing and our proximity to state-of-the-art medical research facilities are why he is alive today - 8 years hence.
We need everyone to experience this kind of medical engagement. Our work at ACS CAN pushes forward access to quality medicine for everyone no matter how far they are from city centers, no matter who they are and no matter how sick they may be. ACS CAN has opened my eyes to the incredible work that can be accomplished at the grassroots level. I am honored to be a part of this amazing group. Marching with others at ACS CAN has been one of the most rewarding deeds I have ever done.