Gary Wang was 27 when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer in August 2020. He had just graduated with a master's degree in computer science and landed his dream job as a data scientist. He and his wife, Catherine, were making plans to start a family.
For months, Gary had been experiencing stomach pain, acid reflux, and fatigue – but by the time his cancer was detected, the disease had already spread. Doctors told him he had between one month and one year to live. Not long ago, his story would have ended there.
Stomach cancer has one of the lowest survival rates. And once it metastasizes, it's usually too late. But Gary was referred to Dr. Elena Elimova at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, where she discovered that his cancer carried a distinct molecular profile. Gary gained access to an international HER2-targeted clinical trial and received therapies that matched his cancer's unique biology.
These treatments cleared cancer not only from the primary tumour, but from his entire body. Through a clinical trial, his tumour's genetic makeup was also sequenced for ongoing research, bringing us closer to decoding and defeating these cancers for future patients.
Gary completed his treatment just in time to welcome his first child and today remains cancer-free. His outcome is still rare, but it offers a glimpse into the power of the innovative treatments that are enabled through donor‑funded research.
The Princess Margaret's innovative research, made possible through philanthropy, is helping to create a future where cancer treatments are tailored to each patient's biology, even in cases where the cancer is at an advanced stage.
"I didn't know what my future would look like before. Today, every moment with my baby feels like a gift made possible by the donors, doctors, and researchers who supported my treatment. I cherish every second with him."
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Gary Wang
Stage 4 Stomach Cancer Survivor