Jennifer Matthews: Enjoying life is what Duncan Ross and his wife Monica want to do. But in 2001, Duncan was diagnosed with a blood disorder called myelodysplastic syndrome. The disease can lead to leukemia.
Duncan Ross: It looked like we had a problem coming along.
Jennifer Matthews: To manage the symptoms of the disease, Duncan had to have blood transfusions every two weeks, but he refused to give up hope.
Duncan Ross: You have to know what your options are, and the way you get that is through the miracle of the Internet.
Jennifer Matthews: By keeping up with journal articles online, Duncan found out about a new drug called revlimid. It's a derivative of the drug, thalidomide.
Dr. Alan List: This is the biggest thing we have ever had for this disease.
Jennifer Matthews: Doctor Alan List heads the research on revlimid. He says the drug targets the cause of the disease.
Dr. Alan List: This actually changes the bone marrow itself and makes it work effectively, like a normal bone marrow.
Jennifer Matthews: Duncan started on the drug last September. He had one blood transfusion then, but has not needed one since.
Duncan Ross: Your life has been given back to you. It's a virtual miracle.
Dr. Alan List: In 20 years of dealing with patients with myelodysplasia, we have never had anything with this magnitude of benefit for individuals that can cause a remission, particularly with just a pill.
Jennifer Matthews: While no one will say it's a cure, Duncan says he likes to think it's close. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.
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