Patient Insights Board Member
Mel Mann, MBA, M.Ed, was diagnosed in 1995 with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), while serving as a Major in the army. He was given only three years to live unless a bone marrow donor could be found. Mel conducted numerous bone marrow drives and recruited many thousands of potential donors onto the marrow donor registry; however, Mel was unable to find a lifesaving donor.
In 1998, Mel entered phase 1 of the Gleevec Clinical Trial. Gleevec, is the world’s first targeted cancer drug. It has helped save over a million lives and it treats 11 different types of cancer. Mel is the world’s longest living Gleevec survivor.
Mel has written many articles about his experience, appeared on numerous television and radio shows, panels, and patient advocate committees. He advocates for improved patient policies, patient access, and clinical trials.
Mel resides in Atlanta Georgia with his wife Cecelia. They have one daughter, Patrice Mann, MD, MPH.