FIGHT WITH MY AUNT AGAINST ALS
My Aunt and Courtney's mom, Annagrace Peluso, is battling ALS. She was diagnosed in April 2017. In August 2017, a new medicine for ALS called Radicava was brought to the U.S. As you may guess, our family was excited to learn more about it and how it could benefit her. However, we have come across a roadblock. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance is refusing to cover the cost of the medicine. Out of pocket, this medicine costs over $145,000/year of treatment.
A petition has been started because I need your help to get Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield to cover her treatment. Your signature could help extend the quality of her life! We have now started this gofundme page to help in any way we can.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has certain criteria that a person must meet in order for them to cover the cost of the medication. One of the requirements is for the patient to have a respiratory function over 80%. She is at 68% right now, and this will only continue to decrease without affordable access to this medication. She is currently active, and still able to play with her three grandchildren. She exercises and does physical therapy to help keep her strength, but due to the nature of ALS she needs more than exercise to be able to continue to walk and play with her grandkids. This is where the new medication Radicava comes into play. It could help her have more time to enjoy these things.
Without this medication, her pulmonary function will continue to decrease, and her mobility will also decline. Instead of giving her this chance, the insurance company has denied her, and this medication is so costly that paying out of pocket is not an option. How can an insurance company make that decision for her? How can they tell her she does not deserve the right to fight this disease with this new medication that, according to ALS News Today, “Reduced the decline in physical ability by 33 percent.” There are studies that prove this medication is effective for slowing the progress of ALS, so how can the insurance company deny her, or anyone with ALS, from receiving Radicava?
Time is SO important with ALS. My family, and any others who have Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance, do not have time to waste. We know that our goal will likely not be met, but every little bit will help her. This little bit can help her with medical costs, home care, everyday life necessities, and simply make life a little easier. I set this goal because I like to set the bar high and I believe anything is possible. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping our family attempt to give my Aunt more time to enjoy life. We love you Annagrace ❤
