He Whom God Helped

 How can you guys afford this clinical trial?

That’s a question we’re asked from time to time.  Today’s entry is dedicated to the incredible resources available to those fighting cancer.

In our first 12 months of treatment at MDAnderson Cancer Center we have traveled to Houston 23 times.  Mostly, we depart from Phoenix but of course, this summer we have started in Alaska the last five trips.  All 23 trips were on Southwest Airlines except the five Alaska departures.  Southwest has an arrangement for MDAnderson patients, whenever we need to change a flight there is never a fee, even up to the last minute.  In spite of some Southwest debacles around the country we have been very blessed with Southwest Airlines.

Our hotel stays are generally 1-5 days in duration.  Initially, we explored the charitable housing options offered to patients, we tried several hotel chains, and we have now settled on staying at the Rotary House which is owned by MDAnderson and is connected directly to the hospital via skywalks.  This has eliminated shuttle rides to and from the other hotels.

Those initial trips were entirely out of pocket for us.  That is until our Research Coordinator and our assigned MDA Social Worker told us about Lazarex Cancer Foundation.  This incredible Foundation is dedicated to assisting patients with all types of cancer, of all ages, from all walks of life.  It was founded by Dana Dornsife who became involved in patient advocacy when her brother-in-law was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  She found him a clinical trial and became involved first hand with the financial obstacles for patients that travel for treatment.  Since then Lazarex has grown to become a comprehensive organization for all things cancer.  They are active in FDA clinical trial diversity, enrollment, and patient access.  Most importantly, they assist patients and their families navigate the world of clinical trials.

We are fortunate to be one of the nearly 2,000 patients in 2022 and now in 2023 that have been helped with travel reimbursements from Lazarex.  

Recently, during a daily devotion we read about Lazarus, a dear friend of Jesus who He brought back to life four days after his death.  Until then I hadn’t noticed the similarities so I found this on the Lazarex website: “The name is part biblical reference to Lazarus (who was given another chance at life) and a nod to the clinical trial drug Rexin G that was used to treat Mike Miller (Dana’s brother-in-law).  Mike, and his family’s cancer experience was the inspiration for Lazarex Cancer Foundation”)

The name Lazarus means “He whom God helped”  Isn’t that an awesome description of such a special foundation that offers Hope and is changing lives of cancer patients everywhere?  The story of Lazarus is found in John 11. 

            Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”         

                                                                                                                         John 11:40                         

Lazarex Cancer Foundation relies on corporate sponsorship and individual donations to fund operations.  I would encourage you to consider supporting Lazarex as they change the lives of cancer patients and their families everyday.  Here’s access to their website via a profile they recently published about our journey:

 https://lazarex.org/exposure-to-asbestos-linked-to-mesothelioma/                  

One last interesting note while we're on Lazarex.  In my last blog I talked about Genomic Testing, also called Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Much of our education about NGS has come from the Lazarex website and attending online conferences sponsored by Lazarex.  As a reminder, if you know of someone who has a recent cancer diagnosis or has been fighting cancers for years, please tell them about Lazarex and share this website.  Here’s is an animated video explaining NGS that you might find interesting:

  https://youtu.be/9frwX-V9120?si=OPvkIyNz0BBtAWtV  

In addition to help from Lazarex, we also are eligible for some travel reimbursements from Vivace Therapeutics, makers of the experimental trial drug that is working so well for me.  Vivace also does not charge us, or our insurance, for the cost of the medicine. 

On the way to my appointment with the one and only Dr. Yap, we ran into a poster of Dr. Yap!

Another amazing resource available in the Houston Medical District is one I’ve also discussed previously.  This is a good spot to give kudos to Houston Ground Angels.  This is a group of organized volunteers who offer their services like a Medical “Uber”.  They provide vehicle transportation in and around the medical district for patients that need to get to an appointment.  We use them for transportation to and from Houston Hobby Airport to Rotary House.  

The Ground Angels operate on an online platform.  Registered patients go to their website and fill out a ride request.  Within a day our two a volunteer will go online and select the drives they want to do on any given day.  They use their own car and their own gas and will not take a dime or even a tip for their services.  They are all amazing servants (some are cancer survivors themselves)  We love our Ground Angels.  

The Houston Ground Angels are a smaller charitable service that has been growing faster than they can add volunteers.  Do you remember I once wrote that 9,000,000 people a year fly in to Houston for medical treatment in the Houston Medical District?   You might also consider sharing a donation with them at ground angels.org 

Speaking of Ground Angels, we also have an Arizona Ground Angel.  Gordon Law, my pal since the 3rd grade, has taken it on himself to give us a ride to and from Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix for nearly every trip we take.  We call him our Guber!

Thanks Gordon, you’re the best! (Gordon doesn’t have a website so the best I could ask you to do is buy him a beer if you see him!!)

The final people to thank are all our friends, family, neighbors, and supporters who follow this blog.  You are God’s angels lifting our spirits and praying for healing.  We don’t take that lightly.