Marcelle’s Medical Treatment

This past July, I’ve had to undergo a medical intervention after having experienced health complications and suffered from internal bleeding.

In addition to having a chronic auto-immune disease with its own set of monthly costs and issues, I am now on a Biologics treatment for an undetermined period of time (For now at least 6 months). 

This monthly active protein injection (TNF blocker) is working at managing the inflammation in my body which is a true blessing, as it allows me to function, be a McGill grad student, a community worker, hopefully a good person, and attend to my daily activities.

Nevertheless, the treatment isn’t covered by the RAMQ (Quebec Public Health insurance), nor my school insurance. It is actually one of the most expensive class of drugs in Canada. Biologics can perform miracles, but their high cost, which is rarely mitigated by medical coverage, and has created a unique situation for many Canadians who want, but can’t have, their life-altering medication.

I’m blessed to have found the medication that permits me to heal, and partake in daily life which was a battle in itself:  but I am still a student currently doing data collection in a Youth Community Center, with limited allocated funding for this semester.

Being in grad school is already a financial strain (securing funding via grants etc...) and certainly doesn’t align with unforeseen health and life emergencies.

Now, after a few months of bureaucratic hassle with insurance companies, I have been paying each treatment from my pocket.

Coming from the child welfare system, this is an added stress —I am self sufficient  from a very young age (17 years old) which has caused me to face many precarious situations throughout my journey in higher education. 

I’ve already disbursed 3500$, and have been billed by the pharmacy 5 250$ more to be paid ASAP. 

Each treatment is 1750$, and I am asking for my community’s help to be able to undergo the upcoming treatments as I cannot afford grad school, and these unexpected costs to maintain my health.

Because I am graduate student, I fall is cracks that prevent me to obtain help from most institutions and community organizations created for such purpose, as I no longer fit in the mandate. I am currently organizing for next year, so I can cover these costs, and continue to work towards my degree.
The urgency is really addressing my current situation for the upcoming treatments. 

I have been involved in the writing, designing and creation of community projects centring the social determinants and accessibility in health services for youth from care, and dedicate my life to bringing positive change to communities that are often unseen.
I hope that it is ok for me to humbly ask to have community support now that my well-being and health is at stake. I would like to be able to complete my semester and not have to negotiate my health for my education and vice versa. 

I thank you all in advance for the help you provide.

In love and gratitude,



Marcelle