Voices of Value: Experiencing a Sea Change in Lung Cancer Treatment Options
We’re experiencing what medical experts describe as “a sea change” in lung cancer treatment options.
Yet, developing new treatments is only half the battle. As doctors and researchers develop new treatments for this incurable disease, patients face insurance companies, government bureaucracies and cost-cutting institutes that can create barriers for patients in their ability to access these life-saving innovations.
We’re mobilizing patients to fight back.
Voices of Value Speak UP: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer is the first part of a national six-event program presented by Patients Rising and Aimed Alliance.
Join Us in Protecting Every Patient’s Right to Access Life-Saving Treatments
Our goal is simple: protect every patient’s right to access life-saving treatments.
If you are a non-small cell lung cancer patient or know someone who is — we invite you to join us for a free evening of dinner, drinks and value. Even if you are not a lung cancer patient, but you believe it’s wrong for pharmacies and insurers to restrict access to treatments, we’d love to see you, too.
You’ll hear real patients speaking out on value and why it is important for patients to answer the economic institutes that are creating creating roadblacks between patients and innovative lung cancer treatment options.
- We’ll shine a light on policy proposals that can limit or ration the care you need.
- We’ll show you how you can get involved in the process by SPEAKING UP.
- We’ll unite patients into a single voice that can lead the conversation on the future of health care.
We believe that the true measure of value in our health care system starts with the concerns and goals of patients.
Come share your story with us. We want to meet you. We want to hear you.
This is an interactive event: Free Dinner — Live Webcast — Live Polling — Hear from Patients — Hear from Experts — Hear from YOU!
Voices of Value: Meet Our Panel
Jonathan Wilcox, our co-founder and policy director, will moderate an all-star panel, including:
- Jennifer Hinkel, MSc: Health Economist, Survivor, Patient Advocate — A partner at McGivney Global Advisors, strategic consultants to biotech, pharma, diagnostics and health IT companies. Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 1998 at the age of 17, she achieved a full remission after treatment with surgery and chemotherapy. Her cancer experience led to the creation of Resilience Racing, the first competitive sailing program specifically for cancer survivors. During the panel discussion Jennifer will share her views on the current debate over healthcare spending as both an economist and a cancer survivor.
- Jeff Julian: Jeff was just 39 years old when he was first diagnosed, and never smoked a day in his life. During his time at USC, Julian was a member of the U.S. National Team, a silver medalist at the World University Games, a PAC-10 champion, a NCAA Silver Medalist, eight-time All American and an Olympic Trials finalist. Since 2004 he has been the Head Coach at Rose Bowl Aquatics. Today he is alive becuse of innovation. He joins us to share his story and his perspective on value.
- Stacey L. Worthy, Esq.: Aimed Alliance, Director of Public Policy — Ms. Worthy manages advocacy and policy initiatives for Aimed Alliance, a non-profit organization that brings consumer, not-for-profit, government and industry leaders together to share information, set priorities, and collaborates toward mutual goals of improving health care through innovation. During the panel discussion, she will reveal many of the obstacles to lung cancer treatment options from the insurance industry, as well as proposals to limit care based on cost-measures, are actually breaking the law.
Learn More About Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
What is non-small cell cancer?
According to the National Cancer Institute: “Non-small cell lung cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the lung.” Squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma are all subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer.
Each type of non-small cell lung cancer has different kinds of cancer cells. The cancer cells of each type grow and spread in different ways. The types of non-small cell lung cancer are named for the kinds of cells found in the cancer and how the cells look under a microscope:
- Squamous cell carcinoma: Cancer that begins in squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales. This is also called epidermoid carcinoma.
- Large cell carcinoma: Cancer that may begin in several types of large cells.
- Adenocarcinoma: Cancer that begins in the cells that line the alveoli and make substances such as mucus.
- Other less common types of non-small cell lung cancer are: pleomorphic, carcinoid tumor, salivary gland carcinoma, and unclassified carcinoma.
The American Cancer Society says that non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer, encompassing about 85% of lung cancers.
Without a cure, innovation is critical for patients with non-small cell lung cancer. So is getting access to the right treatment — and the flexibility to switch to a new treatment when one fails to show meaningful results.
Learn more by checking out our Beginner’s Guide to Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
October 19 Event: RSVP on Facebook or Eventbrite
Claim your spot at our October 19th Voices of Value event. RSVP by visiting our Patients Rising Facebook event page or registering at Eventbrite.