New Real World Health Care Series: Multiple Myeloma Research and Treatment
Krista Zodet, President, HealthWell Foundation
Susan, from Columbia, S.C., is among the millions of Americans struggling to manage a chronic and life-altering disease without the financial means to afford needed medication. Here at HealthWell, we’re honored to be able to help Susan and other patients like her. It always warms our hearts to receive letters like the one she sent:
“I have been a multiple myeloma patient since December 2007 and, unfortunately, there is presently no cure for this cancer. Thankfully, I am responding to treatment, but it is expensive. My oral maintenance medication costs over $11,000 per month and it gets more expensive every year. I am so very thankful for Medicare, but we have a $3,600 deductible that has to be met before insurance pays the claims. That’s a lot of money to come up with each year on a worship pastor’s salary. The charity I was receiving help from can no longer help multiple myeloma patients, but they referred me to HealthWell Foundation and it could not have been easier! The HealthWell representatives I have spoken with have been professional, caring, and efficient. I am thrilled with my experience. Thank you to the wonderful and generous donors who make this possible.” – Susan, Columbia, SC
Susan’s story is not unique. It is however, unfortunate, and one that we hear at the HealthWell Foundation all too often. Cancer is not easy and it’s not inexpensive. That’s why it’s important for us to continue to use this blog to highlight advances in current research, therapies, and what’s on the horizon for treating devastating diseases like Multiple Myeloma.
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects the plasma cells found in bone marrow. It is the second most common blood cancer and is considered incurable. It is a treatable disease, however, thanks to recent advances in cancer research which are improving the life expectancy of multiple myeloma patients.
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 30,000 new cases of multiple myeloma are expected to be diagnosed in 2017 and more than 12,000 deaths are expected to occur. The disease is more prevalent among men than among women.
Promising New Therapies
Our new Real World Health Care series will shine a spotlight on the individuals and organizations driving research on new multiple myeloma therapies, including monoclonal antibodies, CAR-T cell therapy, checkpoint inhibitors and other immunotherapies. I share the hopes of these researchers that these new therapies, or others just coming to the drawing board, will allow multiple myeloma to be treated easily and effectively, and with the possibility of a cure.
Supporting Multiple Myeloma Patients
The HealthWell Foundation, sponsor of Real World Health Care, is proud to support the multiple myeloma patient community with copayment and premium assistance. We have helped more than 9,000 multiple myeloma patients afford their treatments since launching our Multiple Myeloma Medicare Access Fund in 2015 — thanks to the generous support of our donors. We invite corporations and individuals to help us by contributing to our Multiple Myeloma Medicare Access Fund, so no one goes without essential medications because they cannot afford them.
