Two-time child cancer survivor looking for prescription assistance information?!
Question: This is a shot in the dark but I don't know where to start. My best friend's daughter, Cora(13) has survived leukemia twice, once as an infant and again when she was 11. She has been through large amounts of chemo and radiation and was fortunate to recieve a bone marow transplant. Because of God's grace, today she is doing well. However, because of all the treatment that she has recieved, she needs to take growth hormone shots daily for the rest of her life. Not to grow 1/2", but to ensure that her bones stay strong and prevent a boat load of other problems as she gets older. These shots are an average of $5000.00 per month. She isn't eligible for state insurance because her mother is not a loser and "makes too much money" acording to the state of WI. My question is, does anyone know of any assistance, foundation, or advocates that could possibly give some direction as to what can be done financially so Cora can live her life without worry?
Answers: This is a shot in the dark but I don't know where to start. My best friend's daughter, Cora(13) has survived leukemia twice, once as an infant and again when she was 11. She has been through large amounts of chemo and radiation and was fortunate to recieve a bone marow transplant. Because of God's grace, today she is doing well. However, because of all the treatment that she has recieved, she needs to take growth hormone shots daily for the rest of her life. Not to grow 1/2", but to ensure that her bones stay strong and prevent a boat load of other problems as she gets older. These shots are an average of $5000.00 per month. She isn't eligible for state insurance because her mother is not a loser and "makes too much money" acording to the state of WI. My question is, does anyone know of any assistance, foundation, or advocates that could possibly give some direction as to what can be done financially so Cora can live her life without worry?
Have her check out "prescription assistance Montel Williams". Montel Williams is a strong advocate for helping people like your friends daughter. She can also call NIH and ask for Federal Assistance. When this happened to me I emailed President Bush, his wife and VP. They responded quickly getting local and federal places to help me. Also, try legal aid places and ask for their assistance. I drove everyone (and their wives) nuts. Also, your friend may not be eiligible for State Health Insurance, but her daughter is. Ask about "Child Health Care" it is offered in every state - there maybe a fee involved (it is not medicaid so qualifications are much different). University Hospitals also have special programs. Good Luck with everything.
Contact the makers of the drug/shot she needs. Work with them and see what happens. I had a friend in Ohio whose son needed those shots and that is what she did.
i do not know of any foundation but you might be able to go to the drug company and tell them of the situation and they might be able to work something out. it is worth a try. i know they have done it before.
another option (last resort) could be getting her on ssi- even if she is not eligible for a monetary payment because her mother makes too much $ she would still be eligible for the medicaid. And that would cover her medicines and doctors visits all of them. There is nothing shameful in doing that her mother works hard and that kind of medicine bill would kill anyone....good luck
She should go online to the drug company a fill out for the indigent program They can give you samples or get the meds at a discounted price. She should also go to a local clinic. in rural areas they have indigent programs where they do the paper work for you and you still get the meds dirt cheap.
In California, there is a program called Californian Children's Services which covers some medical expenses when they become catastrophic. It is handled through each county. In the county I live in, it is handled through the health department. I would think there is something like this in Wisconsin. If you don't see something like this, check with a medical social worker at a major hospital who works in a children's unit. They should be able to direct you. Good luck.