Patient Stories

Thanks to this deeply personal and expertly coordinated care, Earl’s story is no longer defined by his cancer diagnosis, but by the life he’s been able to resume—with his family, his faith, and his future.

• After his throat cancer returned and local providers offered little hope, Earl turned to the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, where a single email opened the door to life-changing care.
• With a multidisciplinary team by his side, Earl underwent surgery and innovative immunotherapy tailored to preserve his ability to speak, eat, and enjoy life with his loved ones.
• More than four years later, Earl is beating the odds: working full days, cheering on his grandkids, and embracing every moment he fought so hard to keep.

If you or a loved one is facing a cancer diagnosis and looking for care that sees the whole person, contact the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. Our expert team is here to help you find hope and a path forward. Call (513) 585-UCCC (8222) to schedule a consultation.

A Second Opinion Becomes a Lifeline

When Earl Rowland speaks about his life, he doesn’t begin with cancer. He begins with what matters most: family. The 59-year-old husband, father of five, and grandfather of 13 describes himself simply and beautifully: “I am a whirlwind.” A whirlwind of energy, humor, devotion, and perseverance.

But Earl’s whirlwind slowed down in 2018, when he was diagnosed with throat cancer. After initial treatment close to home in Batesville, Indiana, Earl believed he was in the clear—until he wasn’t. The cancer returned, and the local options felt limited. “I was told I might never eat again,” Earl recalls. “And I said, if I can’t eat, I might as well let the cancer take me.”

It was his brother who pushed him to seek a second opinion. “He kept nudging me: ‘Go to UC.’” Earl listened. He found a video online of Dr. Trisha Wise-Draper, a medical oncologist at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, sharing a patient's story that deeply moved him. “I thought I needed to contact her. And I emailed her. She replied the next day.”

That prompt reply changed everything.

The Academic Health Difference You Can Truly Feel

When Earl arrived at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, he immediately sensed the difference. “I met with five doctors that day, including Dr. Wise-Draper and Dr. Zender. And I knew—this was the place for me.” What stood out? “They were kind, compassionate, and they listened. I wasn’t just another patient. They cared about what I was going through.”

Earl’s cancer was recurrent, located in his larynx—his voice box. The team, including Dr. Chad Zender, a head and neck surgeon, faced a complex decision: try surgery with a chance to preserve Earl’s ability to eat and speak, or risk further damage with more radiation. Earl made his wishes clear. He wanted to live—and he wanted to live fully.

Dr. Zender honored that. “We didn’t want to take any more than we had to,” he said. “It was about balancing survival with Earl’s quality of life—making sure he had more time with his grandkids, his wife, and still could enjoy a meal with them.”

Connected Care for Our Community

At the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, that philosophy—treat the whole person—is embedded in every step of care. Earl’s team brought together specialists in surgery, oncology, speech therapy, and survivorship. “I didn’t know who half of them were, but every day, someone checked in on me. It made me feel like I wasn’t alone.”

After surgery, Earl began immunotherapy, a relatively new approach that boosts the immune system’s ability to detect and destroy cancer. “I’d never even heard of it before Dr. Wise-Draper,” he said. But he trusted her, and she delivered.

Earl’s form of head and neck cancer is difficult to treat once it returns. Most patients with recurrent disease don’t survive beyond a couple of years. But Earl has now passed the four-year mark. “That’s remarkable,” says Dr. Wise-Draper. “We offered him a treatment backed by clinical trials done right here at UC. And today, he’s still doing well.”

A Personalized Approach to Complex Cancer

Earl’s case is a testament to what’s possible when cutting-edge science, clinical trials, and deep compassion come together. “We were able to use every tool in our toolbox,” says Dr. Zender, including genetic testing and individualized therapy. “That’s what boundless care looks like—giving patients real chances at more time without sacrificing the life they love.”

Earl now uses a hands-free device to speak. His voice is different, but his spirit hasn’t changed. “Sometimes I hear my old voice in a video, and it makes me sad. But this is the new me. And honestly, I’m grateful.”

He still works 10–12 hour days. He cheers at his grandkids’ games, laughs with his wife of 41 years, and tells jokes that fill the room with joy. “I’m thankful every day I’m still here. This journey was hard. But it gave me time. And that’s everything.”

Boundless Care. Real Hope. A Future Within Reach.

At the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, Earl Rowland found more than treatment—he found a team who saw him as a husband, a grandfather, a man with a life worth protecting. Through groundbreaking immunotherapy, expert surgery, and unwavering support, he received the gift he asked for: more time.

“Cancer isn’t the end of the world,” Earl says. “There are options. There’s hope. And there are people who care enough to help you find it.”

The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center is here to help. Call (513) 585-UCCC (8222) to connect with a team who’s ready to stand with you—every step of the way.