Last week Mecia sent e-mails to approximately 200 delegates/congressmen(women). This week we received approx. 10 responses. Two in particular have joined us in our efforts to reach Johnson & Johnson with hopes of gaining access to Abiraterone and/or suggesting another drug that may be helpful. Both Charlotte Aheart ( from State Delegate Gerron S. Levi's office) and Gigi Schwab ( from Delegate Ben Barnes office) reached out and called me to tell me that they would be sending letters on my fathers behalf.
Letters Below:
I received an email from one of your constituents the Muckelvene family residing at [ ], concerning their father who is suffering from stage four prostate cancer. They are aware of two new drugs that have been introduced to prolong life for men with aggressive prostate cancer. The most effective is Abiraterone, by Johnson & Johnson and has resulted in a 35 percent reduction in risk of death and a 36 percent increase in survival during clinical trials. The other is Provenge which uses a patient’s own antigen-presenting cells to stimulate the body’s immune system against prostate cancer. Unfortunately, these medications have only been available through clinical trials The Muckelvene family are asking for your assistance in contacting either their insurance company, Kaiser Permanente or the drug manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson in hopes of their father being able to receive either of these medications that will help him during his illness.
Sincerely,
Gigi Schwab
Legislative Aide
Delegate Ben Barnes
District 21
410-841-3046
410-841-3346 (fax)
***
I am writing to support the request of the Muckelvene family to access the drug Abiraterone to assist their father James Muckelvene that has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostrate cancer. It has come to my attention that the family has sent e-mails and letters to request your assistance. As I understand it from the research provided by the family, Abiraterone has been proven to extend the lives of men with aggressive stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer.
Often there are trials going on and overseen by the U.S Food & Drug Administration to determine the efficacy of a particular drug, and perhaps there are on-going trials in which Mr. Muckelvene can participate. I want to offer my support to the request of this family to access the life-saving potential of this or other drugs that might assist with his diagnosis. Time is of the essence!
Please read more about the family at http://4wewalkbyfaith.blogspot.com
Additionally, you may reach the family at 301.793.2196 or 240.671.9360. The family resides in the state of Maryland.
Sincerely,
State Delegate Gerron S. Levi
********
I also received this beautiful e-mail below:
Good afternoon honey,
I first wanted to introduce myself to you. My name is Ronda and I am "family" to Ticona. Well not really blood family, but I've known her since she was a little little girl. Her cousin and I are best friends. I wanted to reach out to you to first tell you and God is a awesome God, and he will always always be there for us. Reading your blogs...I already know that you know that. When T first sent the email about your blog and I read it, I was in tears. The more I read the more I cried. It is a BEAUTIFUL thing to see the love that you and your family have. It reminds me sooo much of my own. We are very very close to. You remind me alot of myself when it came to my daddy. I was a daddy's girl, and your story has touched me so. My father was the best thing that had ever happen to me. He battled with cancer for a good while and he BEAT it!!! so when I say God is GOOD...HE IS!! We were able to love him and care for him for close to 9 years, so with that said...hang in there honey. My husband is the Chef...and we've been talking and we want to offer our services to cook for your daddy. Let us know when, and what he can and cannot eat, and we will do everything else.
Looking forward to hearing from you!!
Stay BLESSED
Ronda
********
How AMAZING right??????? People who we've never met are being moved to help us. Beautiful people! Spiritual people! Amazing people!
Today, we received a copy of a letter from our friend Mugure's friend Lawana that was sent to Johnson & Johnson. Lawana, you are amazing, we are so grateful that you took the time to write this letter to Johnson & Johnson on our fathers behalf.
Letter to Johnson & Johnson from Mugure's friend Lawana on our behalf:
Lawana R. Batson
November 17, 2010
VIA FACSIMILE (732) 214-0332 & REGULAR MAIL
Mr. James Muckelvene
Stage 4 Metastatic Prostate Cancer Patient
I hope this letter finds you and yours in good health. That being said, I would like to
persuade your attention to an extraordinary story of a very spirited family residing in the Washington
Metropolitan area ... The Muckelvene Family; Mrs. Pearlene Muckelvene and her three (3) beautiful
daughters. Although I don't personally know this amazing family, after witnessing their
determination, testimony, faith and unwillingness to give up, I find myself feeling as though I'm the
one who has missed out.
I first learned about their awe-inspiring story from a dear friend of mine, who happens to be
good friends with, I believe, two of the Muckelvene (Chatmon) daughters. Coming from a very
tight knit family myself, and having lost a parent (my mother) suddenly to a different, monstrous
disease (heart disease) anonymous to my mom or my siblings; not having the knowledge, faith, or
time on our side for that matter to fight on her behalf has particularly drawn me to this strong,
remarkable, inspiring and God fearing family.
Thus, my focus and purpose for reaching out to you and/or your colleagues is with the
optimism that your company may find this story as heartfelt, endearing and moving as do I; and, if
so, to find it in your heart to assist Mr. Muckelvene in obtaining the drug Abiraterone, which I
understand is being manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, with proven results to save or prolong
the lives of males fighting aggressive stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer. In the alternative, reach out
directly to this inspiring family and learn a little bit more about Mr. Muckelvene's situation and their .
amazing fight from the family, first hand; or, point them in the right direction and provide them
with the guidance and/or knowledge on how to go about receiving this very necessary drug, with the
hopes of giving Mr. Muckelvene a fighting chance at beating this powerful disease which is trying to take
over his body; and perhaps giving Mrs. Muckelvene, her girls, and their extended family the
opportunity to have their dear husband, dad, grandfather, father-in-law and friend back to normal;
strong, healthy, carefree and smiling as they've always known him to be. I don't claim to personally
know this information first hand, but from the many wonderful things that my friend has had to say
about the Muckelvene family and from reading the families amazing blog
I feel comfortable
enough saying that I find all those things to be
Coming from the outside looking in and witnessing the steadfast love, aspiration and faith
this one family has for their loved one has definitely moved me to want to at least try to help their
situation, even if it's something so minuscule as to take a few moments out of my day to write you
this letter. That being said; and, as I am sure you are aware from other stage 4 metastatic prostate
cases, time is certainly of the essence. So, my sincere, personal, covet and prayer is that Johnson &
Johnson will expeditiously make a heartfelt effort to reach out to this family to give them a little
more hope, inspiration, and possibly guidance down the right path with the anticipation of possibly
saving, prolonging or making their loved ones life that much more comfortable. If you could find
the time and find it in your heart to assist in answering this family's constant prayer, I'm sure the
family would be eternally grateful. The Muckelvene family may be reached directly at the e-mail
address listed below.
In closing, I would like to take this time to thank you in advance for taking time out of your
busy schedule to give attention to this letter. God bless you and yours; now, and during the
imminent holiday season and N ew Year!
Sincerely,
/s/
Lawana R. Batson
Muckelvene Family (via e-mail)
forwewalkbyfaithnotsight@yahoo.com
*****
Lastly, if you would like to join us in our campaign in sending Johnson & Johnson a letter as well, PLEASE do. And PLEASE send a copy to our e-mail
Johnson & Johnsons address:
One Johnson & Johnson Plaza;
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08933;
(732) 524-0400
Please also send a copy of your letter to: forwewalkbyfaithnotsight@yahoo.com
We are also trying to reach out to Provenge as well: http://provenge.com/ and will begin sending letters to them also.
GOD IS WORKING! IT'S AMAZING TO WATCH HIM WORK FOR US :) :) :)
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