When Gene Turnipseed was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020, the disease had already spread to his bones.
After several years of treatment, Gene’s cancer stopped responding as expected, and his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels continued to rise. His medical oncologist, Dr. Kiran Yalamanchili, referred him to Radiation Oncologist Dr. Gabriel Axelrud to explore whether he might benefit from Pluvicto therapy.
Pluvicto is a targeted radioligand therapy designed for men with advanced prostate cancer. The treatment delivers radiation directly to prostate cancer cells, helping destroy cancer while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Today, Gene has completed five of his six planned Pluvicto treatments. With each infusion, his PSA levels have continued to decline. Just as importantly, he has experienced less pain and has been able to return to one of the activities he enjoys most: dancing.
Gene spends two to three evenings each week square dancing and round dancing. Staying active during treatment can offer important physical and emotional benefits, and Gene believes dancing has played a meaningful role in his progress.
Along the way, he has also found strength in the community surrounding him.
“I’m grateful for their prayers, their concern for how I’m doing, and their willingness to help me in any way they can,” Gene shared of his fellow dancers.
Gene’s story comes at a special time for Covenant Health Cancer Institute, which recently completed its 100th radioligand therapy administration—a significant milestone for the theranostics and radiopharmaceutical therapy program. Treatments like Pluvicto are helping patients not only fight cancer, but also regain the quality of life that allows them to continue doing the things they love.
“With the professional health care I’ve received at Covenant, I am so blessed and thankful that I’m able to continue dancing and going about my daily activities,” Gene said.
For Gene, every step on the dance floor is more than a hobby—it’s a reminder that hope, innovation and compassionate care can help patients keep moving forward.
