In a poignant and challenging journey, Jamie Black and her husband Larry have embarked on a desperate quest to access pioneering cancer treatment only available in China. Larry, diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer, is seeking CAR T-cell therapy, a breakthrough treatment that alters immune cells to better fight cancer. This advanced form of immunotherapy is currently approved in China for solid tumours, while the U.S. lags behind with no equivalent FDA-approved options.
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In September 2026, the couple flew from Los Angeles to Hong Kong after wiring an initial payment of $80,000 to a pharmacy in Shenzhen. They anticipate spending nearly half a million dollars on travel, treatment, and related expenses in the hopes of prolonging Larry’s life. “This isn’t a vacation; it’s a mission to save the love of my life,” Jamie, 55, stated resolutely. “When you’re fighting for your life, you go where you need to go.”
The journey began two years prior when Larry first experienced troubling symptoms that were attributed to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A second opinion led to an endoscopy, which revealed the startling news: Larry had cancer. The diagnosis was particularly shocking given his healthy lifestyle; at 65, Larry had never smoked or consumed alcohol, and had even scaled Mount Everest.
Following his diagnosis, Larry underwent chemotherapy and surgery, receiving an esophagectomy in June 2025 after rounds of treatment. While he enjoyed a brief period of remission, March 2026 brought more heartache as scans showed the cancer had returned, spreading to his peritoneum. Traditional chemotherapy proved ineffective, leaving Jamie scrambling for alternative treatments.
During her research, Jamie discovered CAR T-cell therapy as a promising option. Although it has shown success for blood cancers, its application for solid tumours like Larry’s is still in its nascent stages in the U.S. Despite encountering skepticism from medical professionals regarding the therapy’s efficacy, the couple became determined to explore this pathway. “When you have no guarantee of life anyway, what does it matter?” Jamie reflected, resolved to find the best treatment for her husband.
Eventually, they learned that Larry’s specific cancer marker, Claudin-18.2, qualified him for the CAR T-cell treatment. After meticulous research and connecting with specialists, Jamie found CARsgen Therapeutics, the company offering the therapy in China. The complex logistics surrounding international medical treatments were daunting, but the couple navigated the process with the aid of a medical concierge service.
Living with the uncertainty of sending substantial amounts of money to a foreign medical facility weighed heavily on Jamie, who struggled with the fear of potential scams amid their desperation. “Did I just do something really stupid?” she questioned, alluding to the emotional turmoil that accompanied her decisions. However, she ultimately realised that the risk was necessary, as conventional treatment options had failed Larry.
The couple’s trip to Singapore was tinged with bittersweet emotions. In early August, they visited Bora Bora, knowing that this vacation could be their last together. With limited time left, they decided to travel to Shenzhen, where they hoped to receive the life-saving therapy. Upon arrival, they met with the medical team, who immediately conducted tests, confirming the treatment could proceed.
Larry underwent the procedure to extract T-cells, which will be modified and reinfused back into his body in the coming weeks. Despite the uncertainty of the outcome, he expressed profound gratitude to Jamie for seeking out this opportunity. “Thank God you found this because otherwise I’m going to die,” he said. This moment encapsulated the hope that had driven them both through this harrowing experience.
As they now wait for the results of Larry’s ongoing treatment in a foreign hospital, Jamie reflects on their situation with a mix of hope and trepidation. “I don’t expect a cure; I just want quality of life,” she shared, wishing to provide her husband a reprieve from painful chemotherapy treatments. The couple continues to share stories of their past adventures and dreams for future travels, reaffirming their bond amid adversity.
Ultimately, Jamie hopes to shed light on the reality of alternative treatment options and to inspire others facing similar challenges. “I want people to know there’s something else,” she stated, emphasising that fear should not deter patients from exploring unconventional paths. In a world where conventional medicine often falls short, Jamie has fostered her own hope—hoping beyond hope for a better future together with Larry.