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Right to Try

Why I am Pro Right to Try
Frank R

Frank R

5 Min Read

My view on Right to Try: PRO Right to Try.

This post was not made because of any political view at all. I hope it doesn’t get caught up in the political climate that is out there.

I never want anyone to have to go through what I have been through! I have been on different sides of this debate but when you don’t get approved for 5 clinical trials ad Compassionate Use wasn’t so Compassionate to me. I also hope that nobody has to sit in the doctor’s office and hear “I am so sorry but we don’t have any other medicines for you, like I have done. The words you are terminal is something I never wish on anybody!

I am writing this so hopefully nobody else has to hear I am so sorry but because you have 3 very active diseases I doubt any experimental medicines will work on you. So as you can see I am not for Right to Try for me. I am fighting so there wont be too many more like me! I am also not writing this for pity, NOT AT ALL!!! I want people to hear and ACTUALLY LISTEN to what a patient has to say!!! Stop thinking you all know better for me then I do!!!

I am Pro for many reasons.
My first reason is that I don’t believe that someone who doesn’t know me should decide whether or not I should be able to try a clinical trial or drug that may have a chance to save a life of a patient especially those that are terminally ill. When there is a chance to help someone who is terminally ill they should be able to. The way that clinical trials go now they can take up to 7+ years just to start a clinical trial that patients are involved. Most terminally ill and chronic patients don’t have that much time to wait.
Another reason I am for it is due to my history with the system . When doing a clinical trial right now the pharmaceutical companies are only going to take the perfect person who fits the trial. So many people are denied because they don’t fit the criteria because the pharmaceutical companies need the best results so the FDA will approve the drug. With the Right to Try bill terminally ill patients have the chance to try the same medicines that are in the trials, first of all earlier, they can get into the trial after the FDA approves the first level instead of waiting for the third FDA level of approval.
Another great part of this bill is that if a terminally ill patient goes into a trial it doesn’t affect the trial results.
Why I feel that this will help the Sarcoidosis community is because there are only two approved drugs for Sarcoidosis, prednisone and acthar gel. Neither is a cure and at best only suppresses the inflammation plus the side effects of those medicines are almost as bad as the medicine itself. Also because Sarcoidosis attacks any part of the body the two approved medicines don’t help all those parts. In the past 18 months over 50 Sarcoidosis patients have died. If they were allowed to decide if they wanted to try a clinical trial drug for Sarcoidosis, maybe some of those patients might not have died. Even if it saved one person then I believe that it is worth it.
I know that other Rare Disease Organizations were against this bill because they believed that it would give people false hope. I understand that but I feel they are underestimating the patients, doctors and the families. I believe that each patient should know the risks of each trial and either the patient or the family or caregiver should have the chance to say yes or no. Even if they make a rush decision that is up to the patient who is terminally ill. Also when a patient is terminally ill they don’t have many or any other choices. Are they suppose to just give up? I am a terminally ill patient and I refuse to give up.
The medicines that are being offered after the first level clinical trials still have to be approved by the FDA to get to the next level. So these drugs or treatments are at least initially approved by the FDA.
To wrap up I know as a terminally ill patient that I would investigate the treatment first to see if the benefits will outweigh the side effects or negatives. If I feel that it wouldn’t help me I wouldn’t use it and I truly hope that the patients, caregivers and most importantly the doctors research any trial medication before giving it to a patient.

I have always said it is never too late to have HOPE!
Personally I have a wife and daughter to live for. My daughter is turning 16 in December and I want to see her sweet sixteen, her graduation, go to college and see her get married. I will not just roll up into a ball and give up. I have always been a fighter and always will be.

Here is an article that I am in on my stance on Right To Try: https://alsnewstoday.com/2018/06/04/rare-disease-advocates-line-up-to-both-praise-and-criticize-us-right-to-try-law/?amp

Here is my NBC NIGHTLY NEWS INTERVIEW on Right to Try:

https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/-right-to-try-bill-advances-would-allow-some-patients-access-to-experimental-treatments-1242943555808

Author(s)

  • Frank R

    I advocate for the Sarcoidosis Community for all of those who can't advocate for themselves!

    Stronger Than Sarcoidosis

    Frank Rivera is a published author of two books "Walking in Silent Pain."  and "I Have Sarcoidosis but it Doesn't Have Me." Both can be found on Amazon. Frank Rivera has also published a medical paper with doctors, researchers and fellow advocates.Comprehensive #Patient partnership paper: Health-Related Quality of Life in Sarcoidosis: Diagnosis, Management, & Health Outcomes https://t.co/niiwZxUj7j Sarcoidosis of Long Island and Stronger Than Sarcoidosis have grown into an advocating organizations to fight for the rights for people who have this rare disease called Sarcoidosis. We fight for those who can't fight for themselves. We work with local, county, state and national government officials to gain recognition and raise awareness for this rare terrible disease Frank Rivera- President- Founder/President- Sarcoidosis of Long Island Founder/President- RareNY Thrive Global- Author and Blogger Frank Rivera founded Sarcoidosis of Long Island in 2012. In 2011 Frank was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis after being misdiagnosed with lung cancer for 7 years prior. Since opening Sarcoidosis of Long Island he has been a local, state and federal advocate for Sarcoidosis. Frank strives to raise awareness for Sarcoidosis nationally, but specifically in the government sector. He has represented the Rare and Sarcoidosis community as a speaker at two Congressional briefings for Sarcoidosis. Frank is a National Ambassador for Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research. Named RUGD Ambassador for Illumina October 2017 Frank organized RareNY in 2016, to raise awareness for Rare Diseases in the state of New York. He organized “A Day for Rare Diseases” on October 15th, 2016 in Long Island NY, in partnership with Global Genes, to raised awareness for all 7000+ rare diseases. In recognition of Frank’s efforts, Suffolk County and the town of Brookhaven officially declared October 15th “A Day for Rare Diseases”. Frank was nominated by Global Genes, a nonprofit that serves the rare disease community, for advocate of the year. Global Genes has also nominated Frank for their annual Rare Champion of Hope award. He has also been nominated for seven awards by WEGO Health partners over four years, Patient Leader Hero as well as Best Kept Secret, Lifetime Achievement Award and Best in Show Blog. He was also nominated by RDLA for advocate of the year. In December 2017 Frank was named People of the Year in the newspaper organization TBR News Media six newspapers one being The Village Beacon Record News. In 2018, Frank was interviewed by NBC Nightly News about the “Right To Try” bill. They did a whole segment on his struggles and strength dealing with these diseases. In 2019, Frank Rivera has promoted Awareness for Sarcoidosis with a billboard in New York Times Square on multiple occasions. Posting Sarcoidosis events, and Sarcoidosis of Long Island and Sarcoidosis patients getting a chance to show their faces in Times Square and their stories. He has also been in multiple television,podcasts and radio interviews both local and nationally raising Awareness all while being downgraded from chronic to terminally ill. He refuses to let his illnesses win and take over his life. His motto is "I have Sarcoidosis but it doesn't have me!" In 2019 his organization has worked on the motto of #YouAreNotAlone. Making sure no Sarcoidosis, and all rare disease patients know they are not alone and we are here for them for advice, support and will help find medical and mental health professionals when needed.