Melinda Bachini

Melinda Bachini is a 13-year survivor of cholangiocarcinoma. In 2012 she was treated at the National Cancer Institute by Dr. Rosenberg in a clinical trial using Adoptive Cell Therapy with TIL. Due to an exceptional and breakthrough response to this treatment, her story was published in the New York Times and other media. 

She is married, the mother of six children, and the grandmother to one. She is passionate about patient advocacy. Her experience with previous and current treatments allows great insight into patients participating in clinical trials.  Her position as Director of Advocacy for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation allows Melinda to interact, support, and educate others touched by this cancer.  She shares her story with as many cancer patients as possible in hopes of giving courage to those in need.

Melinda had previously volunteered with the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation for seven years and came on as staff in August 2017. She also worked as an EMT Paramedic for over 15 years in the Emergency Medical Field.

Melinda serves as a patient advocate for the NCI Hepatobiliary Task Force, the NCI Patient Advocate Steering Committee (PASC), the ECOG-ACRIN GI Committee, the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Advocacy Committee, the NCI Council of Research Advocates, and the NCCN Hepatobiliary Guideline Panel.  Melinda attended the 2016, 2017, and 2018 NCCS CPAT Symposium and advocated on Capitol Hill. She participated as a panelist in the Cancer Moonshot – Community Oncology Event at the White House, told her personal story and was introduced by her state Senator for the Innovation and Access in Quality Cancer Care at the US Capitol. In June 2017, she spoke with nine US Senators at NIH to share her personal story of how research has prolonged her life.  Melinda has served as a Consumer Reviewer for the Department of Defense for several years.