Patient With Rare Cancer Accesses Life-Saving Treatment
The Fight Begins
“Our family has witnessed many different cancers from afar, but recently, it hit our household.”
These words recall the start of Tasha’s fight with cancer. She was diagnosed with a rare cancer called thymoma. Thymoma attacks the thymus gland, which is part of the lymphatic system and produces white blood cells.
In some cases, thymoma can trigger a severe autoimmune response. Shortly after Tasha’s cancer diagnosis, doctors found out she also had Graves’ disease. This autoimmune disease affects the thyroid, which is responsible for many critical functions.
Blocks To Treatment...
Tasha’s best chance at a better life was at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. However, two blocks got in her way: distance and cost.
Her hometown in Lousiana is more than 250 miles away; the drive would span approximately 4 hours. Flying would be faster, but also prohibitively expensive.
These blocks were too big to go around. Tasha had no choice but to break them– but how?
...Now Broken
When barriers to treatment are impossible to go around, Mercy Medical Angels helps patients knock them down. Working together with The Hogan Foundation and American Airlines, Mercy Medical Angels arranged and paid for Tasha’s flights.
“We weren’t sure what to expect,” said Tasha. “I had no answers and lots of anxiousness.” But once at MD Anderson, that tension was resolved. She got the answers - and the treatment – that she needed.
"A True Blessing"
Tasha is now back home and doing much better. She doesn’t know what the future will bring. But she knows this much: Mercy Medical Angels, The Hogan Foundation, and American Airlines will continue to help her.
When asked about how Mercy Medical Angels helped her, Tasha’s answer comes straight from the heart.
“You are a true blessing - I am forever grateful for what you do!”
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