PHOENIX — Jim Sanson didn't fully remember why he was in that small, white room.
Eight years ago, Jim was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. It was a painful moment for him and his family. Over 3 million people are diagnosed with the memory-destroying condition every year and no cure exists. Yet.
When Jim looked over to his wife, Susie, he knew what was about to happen to him could change the world for others like him.
"We know so many people and so many people have passed away and there was nothing for them," Susie said. "So this is beyond hope, it really is."
Jim is undergoing a newly-approved treatment that could potentially halt the progression of Alzheimer's in its tracks.
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
"I feel great," Jim said. "My doctor told me what he was thinking about, and I said, 'Lets go.' So, we're going to see what happens."
For the first time in eight years, the Sansons have hope.
"We had seen some of his family members go through it," Susie said. "I saw my father go through Alzheimer's. When [Jim] was diagnosed it was life-changing and scary, it really was. Lucky for Jim, he forgets about it. That's the best part of the disease I can tell you."
They have always tried to stay positive since the diagnosis, but it's been hard. They sold their business even because it became too difficult. The hardest part though, Susie says, has been watching her husband go through something and having no real treatment options available.
"Oh, it's frustrating because you keep going to see your doctor and our doctor felt horrible because he couldn't give us anything. He would say there's nothing out there for us."
However, that changed after the FDA recently approved Kisunla on July 1, 2024.
"This particular product is unique," Scott Hardey said. "It goes and helps the patient in a meaningful way."
Hardey is the Vice President for Pharma Relations at Aleracare. He says the product targets plaques in the brain which then can slow down the cognitive decline.
"It's not proper to say it's a cure for Alzheimer's, but it takes away those amyloid plaques and by taking it away it stops the progression. What we're finding based on the trials, is that it gives patients not only hope but it gives them true outcomes."
Kisunla is an infusion patients receive one time a month. According to Eli Lilly and Company, the trial, which went for about six years, found Kisunla reduced amyloid plaques on average by 61% at 6 months, 80% at 12 months and 84% at 18 months compared to the start of the study.
The results are promising. Now, adults with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease (which includes people with mild cognitive impairment as well as people with the mild dementia stage of Alzheimer's Disease) can be eligible for it. It also means for the first time in eight years, Jim is able to receive treatment.
"It's a huge relief to be honest with you," Susie said.
Jim is one of the first people in the nation to receive Kisunla. He now will receive treatment once a month for 30-minutes via an IV. The Sansons are hopeful they'll see results after the second treatment.
"It's really the real deal," Susie said. "I'm very hopeful because the numbers shown in the studies are amazing. I've read all about it, it's astounding really."
The goal is to give patients more time. And after 51 years of marriage, Jim and Susie Sanson are hopeful they'll get a lifetime more.
"Time is everything," she said. "It's a very big deal and he's the best, he absolutely is the best."
"My kids are good, my doctors are good, my wife is good, I'm blessed, I'm very lucky," Jim said.
If you have questions about Kisunla, officials say to ask your doctor about it.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12 News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.
>> Live, local, breaking. Download the 12News app
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX."
Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
More ways to get 12News
On your phone: Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.