Just weeks after being interviewed for the Fair Treatment campaign, Carol Coleman of Fredericton, NB, wife of Amos Coleman passed away peacefully after suffering a relapse of Multiple Myeloma, on Sunday, September 12, 2010 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital.
Much like her optimism regarding her condition, her support of the campaign continued until the end. Two weeks before she passed away, she contacted the Fair Treatment organizers with an update: she had met with her local MLA, reminded him about the Cancer Day of Action on November 3rd and learned that the New Brunswick government had addressed catastrophic drug coverage in their evolving health platform.
Carol was also assured that the Deputy Health Minister for New Brunswick would be informed about her diminishing health in the hopes that she might soon get access to the Revlimid that she hoped would prolong her life.
Though Carol succumbed to the multiple myeloma she bravely fought for years, there is still hope for those suffering life-threatening diseases. A national catastrophic drug plan is the answer.
A donation has been made to Myeloma Canada in Carol’s honour.
Carol Coleman points out a fundamental challenge in the implementation of a national Catastrophic Drug Coverage program: creating a sense of urgency in the minds of Canadians.
“I was a teacher in Quebec and I have a good pension,” the 71-year-old says. “My husband has a good pension. We’re covered up to $10,000 in health care insurance per year and figured we’d never need to go over that amount. You don’t think you would until you get cancer.”
Five years ago, Carol was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare cancer of the plasma cells that are critical to the functioning of the immune system. Having moved to New Brunswick after retirement, she appreciated that she was just minutes away from excellent care at her local hospital. However, the lack of a Catastrophic Drug program in her new home province meant her treatment options were limited.
“My disease was deemed incurable and I was given a prognosis of three months to six years of survival,” she explains. “I went through chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, as per the standard course of treatment.”
What’s next for Carol are three common options for supplemental treatment to prolong her life: thalidomide, which has increased in monthly cost from $400 to approximately $4,000 over the past eight years; Velcade, the cost of which is covered by her hospital because it is administered by IV drip; and Revlimid.
“Though these drugs can be given in combination, I’ve been told Revlimid shows the most promise. We had to fight to get it funded by the province of New Brunswick, and even now it’s only funded as a prescription for people in a low income category.”
Carol points out that her out-of-pocket cost for Revlimid would be $10,000 per month, well beyond the means of most people. “Those caught in the middle are working people and retirees who think they have good coverage until they get diagnosed with something they can’t begin to afford.”
Carol remains positive. Like many diseases that were once deemed incurable, multiple myeloma could be treated as a chronic disease if Canadians had access to affordable coverage for the life-saving drugs that show such promise. But a national Catastrophic Drug Coverage program is critical.
“It is simply unacceptable that gaining access to the latest life saving drugs depends entirely on where you live in this country.”
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Joan’s Story
“Mom buried her face in her hands and cried after the doctor left the room,” Traci says. “Not because of the diagnosis, but because her drugs were going to cost between $5,000 and $7,000 per month.
“We couldn’t believe it. For a woman who had raised six children, was an entrepreneur, a school bus driver and a volunteer on various community school and health boards, this was a slap in the face. Was this the wonderful Canadian health care system we bragged about?”
Nick’s Story
As Board Chair of the Campaign to Control Cancer, Nick is vocal about the implementation of a national Catastrophic Drug Coverage program to benefit all Canadians in need.
Faced with a recent cancer diagnosis, Nick says of his treatment: “I began taking Afinitor, a new oral tablet from Novartis, at a cost of $7,000 per month to supplement my therapy.” None of the cost is covered by his provincial drug coverage.
