Dear Friends,
Allow me to share a brief story that highlights RCCS’s life-saving mission.
When Yanky L.’s doctor raised his hands in defeat, out of options, Yanky turned back to the RCCS medical coordinator dedicated to his case. He had exhausted all standard treatment options, and nothing was working. But that doesn’t stop RCCS. RCCS’s research team got to work, remembering a tidbit their medical research team had read in a medical journal. There was a trial that involved merging two types of medicines, with a great track record of success in treating Yanky’s illness. RCCS immediately showed this protocol to Yanky’s doctor, who agreed to give it a try.
The next day RCCS researchers read another journal–this time from an out-of-state hospital–that did research on this protocol and added a third compound with an even higher track record of success. This protocol sounded very promising–as Yanky’s doctor agreed. The problem? It wasn’t FDA approved. Yet.
Still, a tremendous amount of research had been done on this protocol to prove its safety and efficacy, there were no slots left in the clinical trial and FDA approval can take years. Yanky didn’t have five years to wait for government approval. He needed this lifesaving treatment now.
RCCS tried to get the drug approved by insurance and it was denied. That didn’t stop us. With strong efforts by our advocacy team Yanky was approved for a grant from the pharmaceutical company. Yanky is now on that treatment plan and he is doing great.
This was a patient being treated by a top doctor in a top hospital who had never heard of the treatment RCCS’s team uncovered.
$3.2 million dollars. It sounds like an insurmountable number. Yet, that number is our reality at RCCS. It’s our budget for 2023. The budget covers patient advocacy, preeminent medical referrals, and access to the latest treatments, medical trials, and cancer specialists.
It’s the budget that allows every cancer patient to turn to RCCS with the security that each individual will receive answers, referrals and expert guidance and hand-holding. It’s the budget that allows us to stay at the cutting edge of medical research. The budget that enables us to build life-saving relationships with doctors, specialists and hospitals. It’s the budget that saves lives.
Our numbers keep growing. In the past 12 months close to 400 Lakewood patients have turned to RCCS. We’re committed to RAISING THE BAR on patient care, medical and insurance advocacy, and referrals because the need has risen. We cannot rest until each individual has a tailored medical plan, access to and treatment by the best doctors, and the insurance they need to cover their plan. We cannot stop because the need does not stop.
Yidden, there are thousands of families who can share similar stories, hundreds of them living in our very own communities. Please open your hearts and donate generously. We must raise the necessary funds so we can help every choleh who turns to us for help. In the zechus of your generosity, may the Rofeh Chol Boser heal every choleh.
Yours truly,
Aron Steier