Childhood Cancer Patients Shouldn't Have to Fight to Get Treatment
When Jennifer took her son Zach to the doctor in June 2009, she assumed he just had an upset stomach, but Zach's doctor noticed something unusual. Within days, tests showed that Zach had Stage 4 Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancer.
Zach's treatment included a grueling 45 weeks of chemotherapy and 6 weeks of radiation, but he had access to the expert medical care and the treatment he needed. And now, he has been cancer free now for two years.
Unfortunately, many kids facing childhood cancer can't access the care they need, as critical cancer drug shortages mean some patients are having their care delayed, or must choose less effective treatments.
All kids deserve the kind of excellent care that helped Zach beat cancer, but we need smart solutions to end the drug shortages. Urge Congress to end the gridlock and pass vital legislation that will ensure no cancer patient has to worry about drug shortages!
Dear [Representative],
Recently doctors and cancer patients have been faced with unprecedented drug shortages. Low supplies of vital cancer drugs have meant that cancer patients have been forced to delay treatment, or choose less effective more physically damaging treatments. More horrifying still, several drugs used to treat children with cancer are among those facing limited supply.
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The Drug Shortage Prevention Act of 2012 (H.R.3839) would help mitigate shortages by creating better alert systems to identify potential drug shortages, help prevent illegal stockpiling and price gouging, and expedite the review process for applications or requests that relate to drugs on the critical shortage list.
Similarly, the Preserving Access to Life-Saving Medication Act would help create earlier notification of anticipated drug shortages, which the FDA says could have prevented a majority of last years drug shortages.
We cannot allow this important legislation to get caught in gridlock and delay. Please, take action to help ensure all cancer patients can access the treatments they need.
