HER LIFE WAS CHANGED THANKS TO GOOD DAYS

After Years of Suffering, Marvese’s Chronic Disease is Cured

 Marvese has always been a fighter. As a young single mother, she worked many different jobs to provide for her son, but still had to rely on social services to survive. But that didn’t stop her from going back to school. She shares, “In 1989 I went to college here in the Poconos—East Stroudsburg University—and went on to graduate school at SUNY State University at Buffalo, New York.  I graduated with honors at both schools.”

But she had one obstacle that she just couldn’t overcome. In 1984, at age 38 years old, she was diagnosed with hepatitis C. Marvese suffered from extreme fatigue and digestive issues, among other issues.
“By the time I got out of school at 50 years old, I was too tired to pursue a career, so I worked for ten years in social services,” she says. “As the years went on I grew more tired. Depression was a problem for me.”
In 2000, she began medication to treat her Hep C, but the side effects of the medication were worse than the disease. 

“My blood count dropped too low for me to function.  I slept all the time. I even fell asleep behind the wheel.  I was too weak to walk sometimes. There were foods I could not eat without bringing it back up. And I also had skin rashes and terrible itching,” Marvese shares. “I was working at the time. I ended up having to leave my job on disability as suggested by my doctor. It took me a year to get over the side effects.”
Thankfully, Marvese’s doctor told her about the research going on to develop new medications. These medications were not just a treatment for Hep C, but in most cases a cure!

“I went online, followed the news, and stayed in touch with my doctor,” Marvese says. After the new drug came out, she adds, “I still had to wait a year to be approved by the insurance company.”
When she was finally approved for the new medication, she discovered the out-of- pocket expense, was way more 
than she could afford on her disability income. The copays were $3,000 a month.

“The pharmacist told me about Good Days; they submitted my application,” Marvese says.“ When I was finally approved, I cried—I was grateful so very, very grateful. I called everyone to tell them I was too happy.”

Marvese has responded well to the new medication and is considered cured of this disease that once debilitated her and crippled her quality of life. And she is so happy.

“Now that I’ve been cured I have hope.  I will see my grandson graduate and get married and see my great grandchildren.  I can have what’s left of my life.  Family and friends are happy for me. I tell them Good Days saved my life.”

“Without foundations like Good Days, there are many other sick people who would not make it or have any decent quality of life. Parents would be without children and children without parents. 
Good Days saves lives.  I am just so grateful Good Days assisted me in my time of need. ‘Thank you’ does not seem to be enough.”

Marvese sent a lovely thank you note to Good Days. We treasure notes like hers because they are proof that our work really is making a difference.
And we treasure friends like you who support our work and allow us to help more people like Marvese live a better, happier life

A DECADE OF PROMISE

Chronic Disease Treatment Makes Huge Strides in Past 10 Years

Chronic diseases are one of the most important health challenges our nation faces today. 

About half of all Americans, about 117 million people, live with one or more chronic health conditions. Chronic diseases are responsible for 7 of 10 deaths each year, and treating people with chronic diseases accounts for 86% of our nation’s health care costs.

Thankfully, in the past 10 years, incredible progress has been made by the healthcare industry in the treatment of chronic diseases. Progress that will help diminish these alarming statistics, but more importantly, provide relief for those who are suffering from chronic illnesses.

A recent report by PhRMA highlights significant advances made over the past decade that have helped patients avoid serious disease complications and hospitalizations, and improved quality of life.

Here are some highlights of progress made over the past 10 years:

Multiple Sclerosis

Then: Patients suffering with multiple sclerosis (MS) a decade ago had several treatment options that are still in use today. While many were effective at treating the disease, the medicines were commonly injected or infused and often resulted in painful and challenging side effects.
Now: MS patients can now choose from a variety of medicines. For the first time, three oral medicines 
are available, helping patients more effectively and comfortably manage their condition. Right now, 40 new medicines are in development to treat MS, including some first-time treatments for patients with the progressive form of the disease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Then: Ten years ago, patients were just beginning to use biologic medicines to target the underlying source of inflammation and joint damage, rather than just treating the symptoms of the disease. However, biologic medicines were only prescribed for the most advanced cases. 
Now: Many new classes of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis have been developed, providing patients with new ways to target the underlying cause of the disease – including a new s oral medicine offering greater convenience for patients. Clinical research has shown administering treatment earlier in the progression of the disease results in better disease management.

Hepatitis C

Then: The only option available to hepatitis C patients a decade ago was an injected therapy administered over a course of 24 – 48 weeks, which caused debilitating side effects and only cured about half of patients.
Now: Today, new and highly effective oral treatment options offer cure rates over 90 percent in as little as eight weeks and with minimal side effects.
The advances made over the past decade help patients avoid serious disease complications and hospitalizations, preventing disability, improving quality of life, and, most importantly, extending lives. 
As the prevalence of chronic illness grows in coming years, it is vital that we continue to make further advances in chronic disease treatments, so that less people have to suffer the effects of these diseases. 

A LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CLORINDA WALLEY

In this issue, you will read the story of Marvese, a Good Days patient whose medication provided not just a treatment for her chronic disease but a cure!  

For many years, people with hepatitis C had few options that provided true relief. As mentioned in Marvese’s story, often the side effects were 
as bad as living with the disease. But now there are medications that not only provide relief but an actual cure. That is amazing, and I’m so glad we are able to provide copay assistance to allow people like her to afford this life-changing treatment. 

But as may have realized, I’m passionate about helping patients with more than just their out-of-pocket medication costs. I want to see Good Days grow more holistic in its care for our patients. For example, with Hep C, in the past there were many instances where patients weren’t staying on their therapy for the full cycle of treatment, which of course doesn’t provide the outcome they hope for. 
That’s why Good Days is now working to educate patients more about their disease and their treatments. This is just one way we can be more of an advocate for them. 

Another way we are trying to help is by developing relationships with advocacy groups within the hepatitis community, allowing us outside resources that will help our patients feel supported and help ensure the best outcome for their treatment.

I’m so excited to know that we have moved from a treatment to a cure with Hep C. And I look forward to seeing what developments occur in treatment options for the other chronic diseases we serve. Maybe soon we will have cures for others as well! 

Until then, all of us at Good Days will keep hoping and providing the best care and support we can to those living with chronic illnesses. And we thank you for standing beside us. 

Sincerely,

Clorinda Walley, Executive Director

Good Days