An appeal from the press to help prolong the lives of people suffering from disease may die out in months has been a success.
The Evening Chronicle in Newcastle wanted to have a drug available in the national health system for people with mesothelioma.
The disease is an industrial disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers and cause a deadly lung disease.
The newspaper published photographs and stories of six men who had the disease and would soon die without the drug developed by Tyneside, Alimta, available from the National Health System in other parts of the country.
The campaign “Give a Chance” could offer three months of life and a better quality of life in his final days without having to self-finance the £ 24,000 it costs to private treatment.
The campaign was a success after the Northern Cancer Network revealed that patients in the Northeast could now get the drug.
Chronicle readers sent more than 2,000 requests in response to the call. The first treatments will begin soon.
The paper’s editorial said on launch day, “Although Alimta is available on the NHS in Liverpool, London and Scotland, victims of asbestos in the Northeast have to pay £ 24,000 for treatment.
“There is no cure but Alimta can extend life up to three months and offers patients a better quality of life in his final days.
“This allows them to put their affairs in order and make sure their families are safe.
“Given the region’s industrial heritage, there are many patients who would benefit from this drug in the present and the future.”
Tags: Asbestos fibers, drug, lung disease, Mesothelioma, Treatment
