Leukemia survivor finds companionship of rescue dog during treatment

Mark Janes’ chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) diagnosis came after he’d initially visited his doctor for swollen lymph nodes in his neck. After he was diagnosed, molecular testing revealed the cancer cells had a TP53 mutation. That meant the cancer was high-risk, making it more difficult to treat and more likely to return after treatment.

Mark began taking an oral chemotherapy called zanubrutinib under the guidance of an oncologist near his home in Seldovia, a remote town in Alaska. In fact, Seldovia is so remote that there’s no road system connecting it to other communities.

“My wife and I would have to travel by plane or boat to get across the bay, and then we’d drive up to Kenai to see my oncologist,” recalls Mark, who was 59 at the time. “He was more of a general oncologist, so he encouraged me to explore treatment at other centers with doctors who specialized in blood cancers.”

One of those centers was MD Anderson. Mark had family in Houston, so he made an appointment here to get a second opinion.

Enrolling in a clinical trial at MD Anderson for chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Mark had his first appointment with leukemia specialist Alexandre Bazinet, M.D., on Sept. 11, 2024.

MD Anderson pathologists confirmed the diagnosis was chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Since the cancer was responding well to the chemotherapy and Mark was tolerating the treatment well, Bazinet recommended that he continue taking zanubrutinib back home under the care of his local oncologist.     

After a year of chemotherapy, Mark underwent follow-up testing at MD Anderson to check for any remaining cancer cells in his body. That revealed a small amount of measurable residual disease, so Bazinet told him about a clinical trial that would add targeted therapy venetoclax in combination with the chemotherapy he was already taking. The goal was to put the CLL in a deeper remission and keep the cancer from progressing.

“Dr. Bazinet told me about a few different options to treat the cancer, but the clinical trial sounded like my best bet to take care of the cancer for good,” says Mark.

In May 2025, Mark moved to Houston for six weeks for the clinical trial.

A surprise companion

Being away from home meant Mark was away from his family, including his dog, Chuck.

When he wasn’t at MD Anderson for weekly blood draws and checkups with his care team, Mark spent his free time doing things he enjoys, like attending a Houston Rockets playoff game and volunteering at an animal shelter.

“I figured I’d go hang out with dogs and just help around the shelter,” he says.

When the shelter staff mentioned they needed fosters, Mark saw a bigger opportunity. After clearing it with the hosts of the home where he was staying, he brought home a dog named Ellie to foster. She hadn’t been socialized much and was shy and scared at first. That’s why Mark picked her. He wanted a challenge.

“I had Ellie with me all the time,” he says. “We explored all the dog parks in Houston. We got into a routine where we went at the same time every day, and I met a bunch of people. Ellie became more used to humans, and it was fun for me. It kept me busy.”

As Mark was nearing the end of his six-week stay in Houston for the clinical trial, he was faced with a dilemma: he needed to get Ellie placed in a home because he couldn’t bear to take her back to the shelter. That’s when he started a campaign to get her adopted.

“Basketball was in season, so I’d go watch the games at a bar with a dog-friendly patio. I’d bring Ellie and wear my volunteer shirt,” he says. “When people would fawn over Ellie, I’d tell them, ‘I’m just a foster. She could really use a good home.’”

Eventually, Mark’s strategy worked. Ellie was adopted by a nice family just days before Mark had to take her back to the shelter.

Finding purpose through cancer

Mark is happy to be back in Alaska with his family. Going from Alaska winters to the Houston summer heat was an adjustment. But he appreciates his care team and all the MD Anderson staff for being so hospitable during his stay.

“It’s definitely a life-changer when you hear the C-word and get that initial diagnosis,” he says. “But I’m glad there are so many treatment options for leukemia now.”

He continues to take venetoclax and does not have any side effects. He comes to MD Anderson every three months for scans and checkups.

“I’m thankful for all the research that’s been done over the years. It feels good to have been part of a clinical trial to help doctors and researchers learn more about how to treat the disease.”

Growing up, Mark had always heard his mom – a radiation oncology nurse in Dallas – talking about how you never know what new treatment is just around the corner.

“You hold on to the hope that the next big thing might be out there for you,” he says. “There was for me.”    

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