A Plea from Lymphoma Foundation Canada.

 The following is an email I recently received from Sue Robson, Executive Director at Lymphoma Foundation Canada. They need  your help.  

If you reside in Ontario (Canada) and have Follicular Lymphoma (FL) and are currently in need of or could benefit from Rituxan re-treatment, but can't get it because it's not covered in Ontario, then they need to hear your story now.

If this is you or anyone you may know please contact Sue Robson @Lymphoma Foundation Canada. Contact info is below.

Thank You,

Tim, xxx

Dear members, 

We are reaching out to you today to let you know about the inequitable access to care for people living with follicular lymphoma (FL) in Ontario, even after they have been successfully treated.

The issue:

Right now, FL patients who received a treatment called Rituxan plus chemotherapy when they were first diagnosed and who responded well to initial treatment are being denied Rituxan, the standard of care, following a relapse. The only available and publicly-funded treatment option for these patients is chemotherapy – an option that is not equivalent to the standard of care in the rest of the country. Conversely, other FL patients in Ontario who previously received Rituxan alone after diagnosis are eligible for publicly-funded Rituxan again if they relapse.

LFC’s work to date:

Since November 2010, LFC has been actively working with the Ontario government to find a solution to the retreatment issue and its impact on Ontarians living with FL.  To date, there is still no confirmation of next steps, despite positive moves made to improve access to cancer treatments through the province’s new Evidence Building Program (EBP), announced in May.

In the meantime, lack of access to Rituxan retreatment is preventing FL patients in Ontario the opportunity to receive a treatment that increases their chance of living life disease free.  This issue can’t continue to be placed on the backburner and must be addressed by the Ontario government now.

How can YOU help?:

Share your story! If you, or someone you know have FL and have been or are currently being denied treatment with Rituxan in Ontario, we want to hear your story.  For more information, please visit: http://www.lymphoma.ca/rituxan-funding-in-ontario or contact me directly by phone at 1-866-659-5556 ext. 4 or email: sue@lymphoma.ca.

Sincerely,

Sue Robson
Executive Director
Lymphoma Foundation Canada