Marco Island cancer patient inspires group’s new treatment research

A Southwest Florida woman inspired new research to help other people with the disease.

Researchers are looking at a brand-new medical food that could increase the effectiveness of cancer treatments.

“The world’s kind of forgot about how many people are fighting cancer on a daily basis,” said Christy Bastian, a Marco Island cancer patient.

Bastian survived breast cancer 10 years ago. Now, she’s being treated for a rare form of cancer during the pandemic.

“Here I am at 52 with my second cancer battle, and I’m facing bad odds,” Bastian said. “Cancer is devastating, and you just can’t give up the fight.”

Someone special saw that fight in Bastian, and it inspired him.

“After listening to Christy and how they have to fight not just against the cancer itself but so much of their personal aspects too, and it reminded me,” said Daryl Thompson, the director of Global Research and Discovery Group (GRDG). “The secret was resilience.”

Thompson says GRDG created a medical food filled with natural concentrated foods that can help suppress cancer in patients.

“If we inhibit PIM it’s almost like cancer would have to fight with one arm behind its back,” Thompson said. “So if the drugs are working better, that means there are less and less treatment times needed, which would be a lot better on the patient.”

Thompson named the important molecule in the medical food after Christy Bastian.

“It’s pretty powerful because I’m just one of many people,” Bastian said. “I am honored to be a part of giving someone else that hope.”

GRDG says animal trials should be completed in the next six months. Then, the group will be able to move on to a human trials.