CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO
Posted on 03/23/2008 6:23:11 PM PDT by Impeach98
My mother, Connie Loughman, was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in August 2007. As you may know (due to the media attention surrounding Patrick Swayze's diagnosis) Pancreatic Cancer has very high mortality rate since most patients are diagnosed at a late stage of the disease and there are few effective treatments.
The courage and tenacity my mom has shown in this battle is more than even an adoring daughter like me could have ever hoped for. She has done all she can to fight this terrible disease but now it's my turn to show that same strength and determination and fight on her behalf.
There is a new miracle treatment called TNFerade, developed by Biotech Company GenVec, Inc., that has cured patients with the same stage of Pancreatic Cancer as my mother. It has reached the final stages of the clinical trial process but is not expected to reach the market until next year. My mother can not enroll in the trial nor can she wait a year until it reaches the market.
Here is the problem: the FDA and GenVec, Inc., the company who created the treatment, are at odds on how to provide the drug to patients who are not eligible for the trial. GenVec blames the FDA and the FDA blames GenVec, but I'm not really concerned about placing blame. I just know that the FDA has stated that they would be able to grant approval for my mother to use the drug immediately contingent upon GenVec's agreement. GenVec at this point has refused to allow us access to the drug despite our offer to release them from all liability and our willingness to pay all costs associated with the treatment.
It has been reported that Patrick Swayze is currently receiving experimental treatment at Stanford University which also makes him inelligible to enroll in the TNFerade trial. And I am certain there are many patients who in good faith have taken part in experimental treatments only to find out that they are essentially punished for picking the wrong one.
I beg all of you to please go to please watch the YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09gFnSYUjQQ - which goes into more detail about what we are trying to do.
And then log on to our website www.CureConnieAndPatrick.com and contact GenVec and aske them to settle their dispute with the FDA and give people like my mom a chance to be cured.
One more thing - please say a prayer that GenVec or the people at the FDA have a change of heart and work out their differences - many lives depend on it.
Thank you, Jackie Loughman (friend of Impeach 98)
Prayers
Prayers sent up for Connie.
Sorry for not getting this to you sooner:
dswirsky@genvec.com
pfischer@genvec.com
mthornton@genvec.com
zolamar@aol.com
Thank you for your help!
Jackie (impeach98s friend)
Latest Update: Congressman Dan Burton has taken up our cause and took the initiative to call the CEO of the company who developed the drug, GenVec, Inc. He is also contacting the entire Indiana delegation to ask them to do the same. I’ve been a big fan of Cong. Burton’s since impeachment days, but he’s gone above and beyond and my family will be forever grateful. We have also gained an ally in the Abigail Alliance for Expanded Access, and even GenVec’s largest shareholder offered to call the company on our behalf.
Our fight is far from over, but Thank You to the many kind and compassionate Freepers who have given my mother and my family the strength to wage this battle.
God Bless You All!
Jackie (Impeach’s friend)
Prayers
Am so glad to hear about Congressman Burton.....
Prayers continue...
Thank you for the information on Congressman Burton, he’s my congressman and I have long appreciated him.
Prayers
Prayers being said
UPDATE 4/7/08:
ABC’s World News Tonight with Charlie Gibson will be covering our family’s story tonight regarding our efforts to gain access to a promising new treatment for my mother, Connie, who was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in August 2007.
Thank you all for your support, notes and prayers - our family is hopeful that this exposure will compel the FDA and the company who developed the drug, TNFerade, to work out their differences to allow my mother and other to receive this life-saving treatment.
Jackie (Impeach98’s friend)
Prayers for Connie & family
While I very much want to see medicines be safe and all that, the system should be streamlined more to enable those with potentially terminal illnesses faster access to new drugs.
Still praying for you and your family.
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