Real Stories, Real People
Patient Testimonies
$800 per month just on insulin.
My name is Dr. Julia Blanchette and I live in Cleveland, Ohio. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes over 20 years ago and need insulin to live. I was always aware of the widespread unaffordability of insulin, but the financial burden of insulin became real for me while I was working on my Ph.D. […]
Patient Testimonies
A price tag of tens of thousands of dollars.
My name is Randall and I’m from Iowa Park, TX. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 10 years old, and my daughter Emma was diagnosed at the same age in 2013. Growing up, I was the only person in my immediate family with diabetes, so I remember clearly having to learn […]
Patient Testimonies
My name is Therese Humphrey Ball and I live in Indiana. Caring for patients was my life’s work as a registered nurse. Throughout my nursing career, I moved throughout the country. And while I’d seen my patients struggle with drug prices, I began to see the issue firsthand in my own life when I was […]
Patient Testimonies
My name is Maureen and I’m from Shoreview, Minnesota. Since I had a benign brain tumor removed in 2012, I’ve had to take medications to prevent seizures. For years now, I’ve bought my brand name drugs from Canada simply because it’s much more affordable than getting them in the United States. Due to the different […]
Patient Testimonies
I constantly worry about what I will do.
My name is Joyce and I’m from Ceylon, MN. I have multiple myeloma, which is a cancer of the blood plasma cells, and my treatments are extremely expensive. So far, I have been able to afford my treatment because I chose to stay on my employer’s insurance even after I qualified for Medicare. My insurance […]
Patient Testimonies
We shouldn’t have to crowdsource the medication that’s keeping us alive.
My name is Allison and I am a resident of Gaithersburg, Maryland. My journey with high drug prices began when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 15 years ago at just 8 years old. I have always been fortunate enough to have a strong support system within the diabetes community. My childhood best friend […]
Patient Testimonies
My name is Gary and I am a retired corporate executive from Cincinnati, Ohio. I am living with polycythemia vera (PV), which is a rare blood cancer. I was diagnosed with PV in September 1997. Since December 2014, I have been taking Jakafi to control the production of my red and white blood cells. Without […]
Patient Testimonies
The COVID-19 pandemic should serve as a wake up call.
My name is Emmabella Rudd, and I’ve been an advocate for insulin accessibility and diabetes research since I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 5 years old. I am an activist and patient advocate, but I’m so many other things as well. I am a student senator at Florida State University. I love art […]