Personal Reflection: A Shared Journey of Loss and Hope
My journey with BioMark Diagnostics is deeply personal. Two years ago, I lost my sister in the UK to glioblastoma (GBM), a journey that began with breast cancer that tragically metastasized to her brain. I flew to London, spending the last six weeks by her side, witnessing firsthand the devastating progression of this relentless disease. In her final moments, she passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love.
This profound loss was not just a moment of grief, but a catalyst. It reinforced my conviction to find novel approaches in understanding and monitoring glioblastoma – a cancer notorious for its high recurrence rates. My mission expanded beyond scientific curiosity; it became a deeply personal quest to develop better therapeutic interventions that could extend lives for GBM patients.
With each research breakthrough, with each technological advancement, we are getting closer. Our work at BioMark is not just science – t’s a promise to those we’ve lost and those still fighting.
Mia Love: A Trailblazer's Legacy
On March 23, 2025, the world lost a trailblazer.
Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to the U.S. Congress, passed away at 49 after a courageous battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. Her death sent ripples through political circles and communities alike, not just in Utah, where she represented the 4th district from 2015 to 2019, but across the nation.
Mia’s story was one of breaking barriers, embodying resilience, and inspiring others, qualities that shone even brighter as she faced her final challenge.
A Legacy of Resilience
Mia Love’s journey began with her parents, Haitian immigrants who fled political chaos to build a new life in Brooklyn, New York, in 1975. Ludmya Bourdeau, known as Mia, was born into a family that valued hard work and faith, lessons she carried into every chapter of her life.
Her political career was groundbreaking. From the Saratoga Springs City Council to becoming the first Black woman mayor in Utah, and then the first Black Republican woman in Congress, Mia consistently shattered expectations. Even after leaving Congress in 2019, she remained a powerful voice as a CNN commentator and a fellow at the University of Sydney.
The Unforgiving Reality of Glioblastoma
In 2022, Mia received a devastating diagnosis of glioblastoma. She faced it with the same tenacity that defined her career, undergoing surgery and enrolling in immunotherapy clinical trials. In a 2023 speech, she spoke candidly about her faith and resolve, saying, “This is not the end of my story; it’s a chance to show what I’m made of.”
But glioblastoma is unforgiving. By early 2025, her family announced that treatment was no longer effective. On March 23, she passed away, surrounded by loved ones.
BioMark's Mission: Transforming Cancer Detection
Mia Love’s battle underscores a critical truth: when cancer is caught late, even the fiercest fighters face long odds. For glioblastoma, the five-year survival rate is below 10%. Yet, for many cancers, early detection can dramatically change outcomes.
This is where BioMark Diagnostics steps in.
Pioneering Metabolomics: A New Frontier in Diagnostics
We’re pioneering a breakthrough approach using metabolomics—analyzing tiny chemical markers in our bodies. By tracking specific metabolites, particularly an enzyme called SSAT-1, we can potentially detect cancer signals long before traditional methods.
Our technology is elegantly simple yet groundbreaking:
- Non-invasive blood and urine testing
- Cost-effective screening
- Potential for early intervention
- Applicable across multiple hard to detect and treat cancer types, including glioblastoma
A Commitment to Equity
Cancer doesn’t discriminate, but access to care does. Our mission extends beyond technology—we’re committed to making early detection universally accessible, particularly for marginalized communities who often face steeper barriers to timely care.
Honoring Memories, Driving Hope
Mia Love’s life and my sister’s journey remind us that behind every statistic is a human story. At BioMark, we’re not just developing diagnostic tools; we’re building hope.
Every breakthrough brings us closer to a future where a cancer diagnosis isn’t a death sentence, but a manageable condition. Where families don’t have to say premature goodbyes. Where resilience meets cutting-edge science.
Our work continues, driven by memory, powered by hope.
