Monday, November 14, 2011

There's Help Out For...

Hey there!
I was surfing the net the other day and stumbled upon some info about this organization called HealthWell Foundation that helps fellow Lupies with the cost of our medications. I'm so happy to know that this is available because I know that that's a big issue for us, and there's little to know help out there specifically for those with Lupus. Actually, this is one of the main reasons for my starting my own foundation to support those with Lupus - The Butterfly Project for Lupus - and one of the primary programs for it is a medication assistance grant.

Many of us Lupies know that, other than prednisone and plaquenil, most of our medications are 'off label', meaning they were created, prescribed, and intended for other diseases but are used for Lupus. Take Cytoxan for example. It's a chemotherapy drug created and used mainly for those with various types of cancers. However, it's becoming more widely used for those with Lupus to help suppress the immune system.

Among other things, I have the Lupus Anticoagulant Syndrome, plus platelet issues, so I'll be on an anticoagulant Luvenox for the rest of my life. This drug is $798 per month, and that's AFTER my insurance kicks in it's 70%!! So again, I am SO VERY glad that something like this exists out there exists for us.

So check them out, here's the foundations press release about the program.

Be well :)