L-R Justin’s wife, Justin, Amber
JT’s Journey: A Life-Saving Experience
All in a Day’s Work: Amber’s Story
When Amber Quan returned from maternity leave, she was eager to dive back into her role as a Clinical Research Coordinator. One of her first projects on return was a new Theranostics study. Amber set herself a personal challenge: find the right patient for this trial. She started by reviewing the pre-screening log—a tool the team uses to track potential Theranostics patients. That’s when she spotted a familiar name: a patient who had shown interest in a trial the previous year but hadn’t been successful. Amber reached out, and to her delight, he was keen to learn more about the clinical trial. From there, Amber connected with the Principal Investigator and after review and screening, the patient was eligible and booked for his first dose. Amber didn’t stop there. She coordinated everything for treatment day—ordering the investigational product, liaising with departments, and ensuring all hands were on deck.
When JT talks about his experience, his words are simple but powerful: “Good to know all clear. All pain has disappeared.” For him, those words mean everything. JT is a 66-year-old country man who first learned he had prostate cancer back in 2016. At the time, it was low-risk, so he went on active surveillance and carried on with life. But in 2025, things changed—a new biopsy showed his cancer had become more aggressive, and his PSA level was rising. That’s when JT qualified for the NINJA clinical trial, and he didn’t hesitate. “I wanted to get this sorted and get back home,” he recalls. His journey began with pain in his left testicle, which led him to Royal Perth Hospital. Surgery wasn’t an option there, so he was referred to A/Prof Tee Lim at Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH). On August 12, 2025, JT enrolled in the trial and started radiation therapy.“For me, the relief was immediate, it changed everything for me”, JT says.
Thanks to her meticulous planning, the patient received his treatment smoothly and according to protocol. For Amber, it was a proud moment—made even sweeter because it happened on her son’s birthday! Reflecting on the experience, Amber shared: I don’t think the day would have happened for this patient if I didn’t go back and look through the log, so I am proud that he is on trial now. This milestone wasn’t just a win for Amber. It was a triumph for the patient, the doctor, the sponsor, and the entire team. Behind every successful trial is a network of effort—from feasibility checks and ethics approvals to site readiness and day-to-day coordination. Amber’s story is a shining example of the dedication that makes it all possible. Stories like Amber’s remind us that every detail matters—and every effort brings us closer to improving lives.
Speed mattered to JT. Living in the country, he didn’t want to be away from home for long. Thanks to the team at FSH, his treatment was quick and effective. He stayed at Millroy Lodge, a Cancer Council facility for regional patients, and couldn’t stop praising their hospitality. “They were fantastic,” he says. Even better, he ran into friends during his stay, which made the experience feel less isolating. Family is everything to JT. Married with three children, he even encouraged his younger brother to get checked. “Don’t wait,” he told him. “It’s worth it.” JT’s story is a reminder of what timely care and compassionate support can achieve. For him, the NINJA trial wasn’t just treatment—it was a chance to keep living life on his terms.
The NINJA clinical trial aims to compare two emerging schedules of radiation therapy in the treatment of intermediate or high-risk prostate cancer.
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