I was diagnosed with multicentric Castleman disease, a rare hematologic disorder involving immune system hyperactivation and multiple organ dysfunction, during medical school. When chemo failed, my last rites were read to me. However, I survived, returned to med school, and decided to dedicate my life to curing this disease to save my life and the lives of thousands of other patients.

As a Research Assistant Professor of Medicine in Hematology/Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania, I've published research that changed the way doctors think of the biology and treatment of the disease, and I run a global research network (www.CDCN.org) with dozens of other physicians, researchers, patients, and volunteers to cure the disease that almost killed me. More work needs to be done, and I'm battling for my life.

We have three research studies that need to be launched, which cost approximately $150,000. It is critical that we all join together to raise the funds to take down this disease and apply our findings to other related diseases.