Having outlived every other patient on record with a rare form of stage 4 bladder cancer, Alan Shapiro found his 84th birthday had a certain kind of magic to it. Following the orders of Dr. Jatin Desani, he’s enjoying every day as if it’s his birthday.

Shapiro relocated from Woodstock, N.Y. to Stafford Township two years ago to be closer to his family while he undergoes treatment.