Real Stories, Real People
Patient Testimonies
My name is Dirk Last and I am a full-time college student from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I have been type 1 diabetic for 19 years now. I’ll be 24 in April, and I’m terrified of being kicked off of my parents’ insurance when I turn 26 –– and what that will mean for the price of […]
Patient Testimonies
My name is Jayme Thode and I am from Taftsville, Vermont. I am disabled and live with multiple health problems. I take over 30 medications a day, not including antibiotics and other meds I need during the month for acute issues. It’s just awful. I spend a good amount of my disability money to pay […]
Patient Testimonies
COVID-19: Why Drug Corporations didn't invest in vaccines until a global pandemic
by DAVID MITCHELL AND BEN WAKANA As the COVID-19 crisis grows, Big Pharma is trying to position itself as the key to ending this pandemic. But drug corporations have been uninterested in fighting infectious diseases for decades. In this blog, we examine pharma’s deep disinterest in combating infectious diseases and why drug corporations are suddenly […]
Patient Testimonies
My name is Mary Combellick and I am a grandmother and retiree living in Gettysburg, South Dakota. I wanted to share with you today the story of my struggles to afford my diabetes medication. I have had diabetes since 2006, and it has completely altered my life. My doctor prescribed me a number of diabetes […]
Patient Testimonies
My name is Douglas Kooiman and I am a resident of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I do my best to be an active member of my community and take care of my health. Unfortunately, I have been dealing with cardiovascular issues for many years, and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2005. My doctor […]
Patient Testimonies
by DAVID MITCHELL AND BEN WAKANA Two weeks ago, we wrote about the importance of affordable vaccines and treatments for COVID-19. Since then, the pharmaceutical industry has positioned itself as a hero stepping up to end the COVID-19 crisis. They trumpet their progress toward a vaccine and announce their unprecedented focus on the pandemic. But […]
Patient Testimonies
My name is Deanna Robinson and I am a 72-year-young woman living with leukemia. When I was first diagnosed in 1998, I was immediately worried about leaving my family behind. But I quickly found out that wouldn’t be my only worry. Early in my treatment, I started taking an oral chemo drug, Imbruvica, for my […]
Patient Testimonies
I worry that I will not be able to afford to live.
My name is Steven Hadfield. I am a long-time North Carolinian, a husband, a grandfather of three, a football fanatic, and a rare cancer patient as well as a diabetic. I have been a hard worker for all of my life. I work full-time at Walmart. I also work part-time at Bank of America stadium […]