In recalling her mother’s final days in her fight against cancer, Traci Gaudet notes a telling observation from the oncologist.
“He said that when someone is stressed and at their weakest, cancer will take advantage of that situation,” Traci remembers. For Joan Gaudet, that stress was related to the cost of Sutent, a critical medication she needed to battle her advanced kidney cancer.
Having lived for 12 years cancer free after her first bout with the disease, Joan received a new diagnosis in November 2008: a small mass in her left lung. The news was shocking enough for the Gaudet family, and compounded by the oncologist’s other news—their home province of PEI was the only one in the country that did not fund the medicine Joan desperately needed.
“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?”
Between their family resources and a successful community fundraiser, the Gaudets got Joan started on her first months of treatment. They also launched a letter writing campaign targeting local MLAs and MPPs, the Premier, the Federal Health Minister and the media. Over 300 letters in all were mailed from the family and friends across the province.
Despite showing progress in her treatment, the cancer claimed Joan’s life in May 2009. While Traci remains upset that the health care system let her mother down, she notes a positive outcome from the experience.
“Mom lost her battle, but she died knowing that the province of PEI now covers Sutent as a first line therapy for kidney cancer patients. Her fight did make a difference for some who will be diagnosed in the future.”
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