HELP JOSEPH VERRELLI
Hello everyone, and thank you for taking the time to read our plea. My name is Meagan Robar. In March of 2014, I had encouraged (forced) my boyfriend of four years Joseph Verrelli to have a mole removed from his left collar bone. After thorough convincing, we went to the dermatologist. Four days later we received the call that Joe had Malignant Melanoma.
The next two months were a blur. Doctors appointments, PET scans, CT scans, MRI's, etc. We chose to be treated locally at North Shore LIJ. On May 8th, 2014 Joseph underwent Surgery to remove the tumor on his left clavicle as well as having his sentinal lymph node removed and biopsied. An agonizing week went by awaiting the results. Sentinal nodes all came back NEGATIVE for melanoma. I cried tears of joy. The oncologist had briefly* mentioned a suspicious spot on his lung but hadn't seemed too concerned. We thought it was over.
On December 8th, 2014 Joseph went for a follow up CT scan, in which we were told the nodules on his lung had grown by 2mm as well as new nodules having appeared. My heart sank. We met with oncologists, and surgeons over at North Shore LIJ. They wanted Joseph to undergo two MAJOR (And painful) surgeries to remove the - now 6 nodules on his lungs (both surgeries included breaking both sides of his ribs). We ultimately decided to get a second opinion at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC.
At Sloan, we were told to have one of the nodes biopsied. On March 11, 2015 Joseph had a .09mm nodule thin needle biopsied. On March 16th, 2015 we received the worst phone call of our lives. Jospeh was diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Melanoma. The cancer had spread to his lungs.
His amazing treatment team immedietely took action and researched the BEST method of treatment; Offering Joseph a slot in one of the most innovative, trail blazing, clinical trials that exists to date. Years ago this diagnosis was a death sentence. Today, with the newer treament options such as Immunotherapy, PD-1's there is HOPE. His clinical trial would include a combination treatment: the new FDA approved PD-1 drug call Optivo (which Memorial Sloan would be covering.) The second combination drug is Ipillimubab( YERVOY). This immunotherapy has been around for a few years and has shown promise. Emblem Health (JOSEPH'S INSURANCE) as well as other Insurance Companies Cover this drug*.
Just when we thought things couldn't get worse, four days before his first treatment we received a call saying that Joseph's Insurance Emblem Health DENIED**** coverage of one of the drugs: Ipillimubab (YERVOY) solely because it was being used in a Clinical Trial with OPTIVO. Optivo has shown even BETTER results than the Ipi. But any way an insurance company can opt out of paying- they will. Since it is a clinical trial, they expect Sloan to pay for it. They would rather Joseph receive Ipillimubab on its own and pay for it than give my 32 year old boyfriend his best shot at survival. His insurance would only be responsible for half - and yet they still denied it.
Out of the 30 candidates participating out of Memorial Sloan Kettering, Joseph was the ONLY participant whose insurance was denied.
We are exploring different ways that we can still participate in this trial and give Joseph his very BEST shot at beating this. I am asking my family, Joseph's family, our friends, and people all over to please help us. The cost of this treatment is exponential. We can't do it alone.
Not only is Joseph my amazing boyfriend and partner, but he is a loving son, brother, friend, and Puppy dad of two adorable american bullies. There is no one more deserving than this young man. He is only 32 years old. No one at 32 should ever have to bear the burdens he is facing, and on top of it be told your insurance is denying coverage of treatment. Any donation- big or small will make a difference.
He is the love of my life. Please help us if you can. And if you're not in the financial position to donate, a prayer and positive energy would always be appreciated and welcome.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Love Always,
Meagan Robar and Joseph Verrelli
