OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

In 1998, Mel Mann was told he had Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) and that he had three years to live.

Fast forward to 2026 ⏩ Mel's still healthy and training for his next marathon. 🏃

Listen (via NPR):

This man was given three years to live … in 1998. He’s still here : Short Wave 25 years ago, the FDA approved a pill that would change the way scientists treat cancer … for good. The pill was called Gleevec; it was designed specifically to treat CML, chronic myeloid leukemia, and it was one of the first targeted cancer therapies available. A quarter century after approval, i...

(Nurses Week Edition): Hello! My name is Carissa, and I’m a Surgical Oncology Nurse. I used to work on 13K, but last month we moved into the Vista Pavilion.

What is your favorite part about working in your field?

I love helping our patients progress after surgery. They often wake up in pain, with unfamiliar lines and drains, unsure of what comes next. It can be scary and overwhelming for them and their families.

My job is to help them feel seen and safe: managing their discomfort, getting them moving and eating again, and teaching them to care for any new devices they’ll go home with. When a patient who arrived frightened leaves feeling prepared and confident, that’s everything.

What inspired you to become a nurse?

My mom is a nurse, so naturally I chose a different career path! But when I was 24, I was diagnosed with cancer. My nurses were incredible, and I witnessed firsthand the profound difference a great nurse (like my mom) can make during a scary time. That experience changed the course of my life.

What does it mean to be a nurse?

Being a nurse means showing up for people at their most vulnerable moments and truly making a difference in how they experience that time. It’s about being a steady, knowledgeable, and compassionate presence when everything feels uncertain.

What was your “Dream Job” as a kid?

Olympic Ice Skater (I do not ice skate)

What do you like to do for fun?

I have two kids, and their hobbies are my hobbies these days. We are in an era of sports, dance, and lemonade stands, all of which I am their #1 fan.

What is your favorite thing to do/eat/explore in Oregon?

I love all the farm-fresh food in Oregon. Listening to music and eating fresh blueberries while my kids run around at PSU’s is an ideal Saturday morning.

What is the best emoji to describe you? Or one you use often?

Honestly, my most used emoji is this gal 🫠. I think she describes me as a working mom in 2026 — tired, melting, but still smiling and showing up.