The Frightening Reality of Dealing With Illness
[COMMUNICATED]
No matter where you live, the word “cancer” is a frightening reality for all too many of your neighbors, r”l. This dreadful disease and its treatment regimens afflict men, women, teenagers, even young children, of all ages and backgrounds – as well as their family and friends.
In our communities, virtually every one of these suffering souls relies on RCCS as a lifeline – the one-stop resource that guides them from diagnosis through recovery and makes sure that everyone has access to the absolute best medical care available anywhere in the world.
One recent case illustrates just how life-changing RCCS’s work can be.
A young patient with a specific strain of colorectal cancer was referred by RCCS to an experimental study of a new drug that seemed hopeful. To be eligible for this study, patients needed to have a specific biomarker that is only found in 5% of patients with this strain of cancer. He was one of only 12 patients accepted into the study, where patients received three doses of the experimental treatment over the course of 12 weeks.
The results were astounding and the treatment so effective that the pharmaceutical company decided to commission a second study that would be open to patients with colorectal cancer, even without the indicated biomarker, with the hopes that the same efficacy could still be achieved. Although there was concern that the results would not be as good as the previous results of the first experimental treatment, it was a hopeful development nonetheless for patients stricken with this cancer.
A while later, when 35-year-old Shloimy was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer, the RCCS Patient Department was hopeful that he could be referred to this study and receive this potentially lifesaving treatment.
Unfortunately, the study was not going to be open and available for some time. Being a stage 3 diagnosis, on the verge of metastasizing, the cancer needed to be treated immediately, before it risked spreading to other areas of the body.
RCCS refers many colorectal cancer patients to a top specialist at Cornell Medical Center to undergo surgical removal of the tumorous tissue before undergoing chemotherapy. After meeting with the doctor, Shloimy’s prognosis was bleak. He was told that surgery must be performed immediately. There were numerous roadblocks in the way, but RCCS managed to get all the necessary testing, imaging and paperwork done and schedule the surgery for the next Monday.
Having lost his father at a young age, the prognosis was devastating for Shloimy. On the day of his father’s Yahrzeit, which happened to fall out a few days before his surgery and treatment was scheduled to commence, he went to the kever and cried and davened. On that very day, RCCS unexpectedly received the amazingly good news that the second phase of the experimental trial treatment was now open.
It was determined that the patient was a candidate and could join, but only before undergoing the surgery. On this experimental drug, he would receive three infusions over eight weeks. The subsequent surgery would then have a good chance for a vastly better outcome, while also negating the need for chemotherapy.
10 weeks later, Shloimy came out of surgery. The specialist reported that it appeared to be a great success, as only the cancerous tissue had to be removed, preserving the healthy surrounding tissue. It was clear that the experimental drug was helping.
Baruch Hashem, Shloimy is now in remission!
The work of RCCS is extremely broad. They provide medical referral and support, getting each patient into the best doctor for their diagnosis; this includes handling their medical records and expediting appointments. To this end, they conduct extensive medical research to provide patients with the most cutting-edge medical treatment. They provide crucial financial support to cover insurance premiums and other out-of-pocket expenses. In essence, they serve as the patient’s virtual “back office” from beginning to end.
They arrange insurance guidance and advocacy, helping a patient navigate the complex world of insurance and advocating for them when an insurer rejects a claim. They ensure that finances never stand between a patient and world-class treatment.
RCCS is having their annual online campaign this week, and everyone is urged to please support it generously. All funds raised go to support their incredible work – giving Jewish cancer patients the best possible chance of recovery and survival. Please visit dryveup.com/rccs to participate.
