‘It’s remarkable:' How a unique cancer therapy at OU Health saved a Lawton father’s life

One Oklahoma man is alive today because he advocated for his health. A revolutionary treatment saved his life. 

Lawton’s Mark Vadney lives his life in the fast lane. He takes every moment as it comes. 

“I enjoy my life a day at a time,” Vadney said. “I don’t know if there’s anything left on my bucket list.” 

Vadney spent his career as a certified registered nurse anesthetist. He is semi-retired now and has a love for sports cars. However, Vadney’s life has been a race against death. 

“My Christmas of 2022, I thought it might be my last one,” Vadney said. “I think cancer is a very evil thing.” 

It’s been a long road toward the finish line in Vadney’s cancer journey. Twenty-one years have passed since he discovered the problem -- follicular lymphoma. 

"Found a huge mass under my arm,” Vadney said. “I was a single dad at the time.” 

Treatment bought time, but the cancer always returned. 

“I think it’s a horrible thing to happen to any human being,” Vadney said. "I’ve lost some friends and family members.” 

About a decade ago, cancer took his sister Barb.  

“She was the sweetest, funniest person I’ve ever known in my life,” Vadney said. 

OU Health’s Dr. Taha Al-Juhaishi connected Vadney with CAR-T cell therapy. 

“It acts more like a homing device for more effective cancer cell killing,” Al-Juhaishi said. 

After a month in the hospital last fall, Vadney returned home. 

“I didn’t have a tumor left in my body,” Vadney said. 

According to OU Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Yescarta (the specific CAR-T therapy) for follicular lymphoma shows a 91% response rate and a 60% complete response rate. 

“It’s remarkable,” Vadney said. 

Al-Juhaishi said this treatment will soon be expanded to treat other cancers and autoimmune diseases.

“This is huge for patients, for us, for the field,” Al-Juhaishi said. “We’re very happy for [Vadney] for sure.” 

Vadney promised his daughter Ronnie he would be there for her wedding. 

“She’s a beautiful girl,” Vadney said. “Two or three weeks after I got out of the hospital, I walked her down the aisle. It was a very good day.”

Vadney is back to living his life. 

“We got some new exercise equipment,” said Vadney, with a smile.  

He checked another bucket list item off his list at Los Vegas Moter Speedway. He drove some race cars. 

“I would encourage everybody to do it,” Vadney said. 

His experience drives home a lesson. 

“The ability to have hope,” he said. 

He still doesn’t know when his time will come, and he doesn't let a second pass him by.  

“It’s an amazing thing. It really is,” Vadney said. “Enjoy your life.” 

Vadney spent his career helping others as a healthcare professional. He said it’s important for cancer patients to seek second opinions if their current treatment isn’t working. 

February also marks National Cancer Prevention Month. Doctors at OU Health recommend people schedule their annual checkups and screenings.