Patient Testimonies

Real Stories, Real People

Patient Testimonies

I have to play this game.

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

Financial Challenges

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 […]

Patient Testimonies

It's hard to even look at my medical bills.

My name is Julie and I’m from Providence, Rhode Island. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2007 and, more recently, Crohn’s disease in 2019. I’m currently self-employed and am not sure if I can return to a corporate job full time because my symptoms can be so severe. It feels very lonely at times […]

Patient Testimonies

I had to start stockpiling my insulin.

My name is Elizabeth and I have lived in New Jersey most of my life. I met my husband in high school, and we’ve been together ever since. We love the active retirement community we reside in and all of the friends we have made here. I have a wonderful life. I was first diagnosed […]

Patient Testimonies

Real people like me are struggling.

My name is Laurie and I’m a cervical cancer survivor from Mill Creek, WV. Radiation treatment has left me with many side effects, the worst of which is chronic diarrhea. It is horrible. I am taking three different prescription drugs for these side effects. For nine months, I took Viberzi for chronic diarrhea, and it […]