Patient Testimonies

Real Stories, Real People

Patient Testimonies

I had to ration my insulin for almost a year.

My name is Xanadu Roque and I live in Gainesville, Florida. In 2003, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. At 12 years old when diagnosed, I was still on the Florida state insurance plan for kids, but when I turned 18, I no longer had health insurance, which meant facing the full list prices […]

Patient Testimonies

I feel like I’m working my job just to afford my medicine.

My name is Savannah Hampton and I live in Dallas, Texas. More than 40 years ago I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and today am a proud advocate for affordable insulin. Between the high cost of insulin and other supplies, affording the necessary treatments to survive as a diabetic can be incredibly costly. Because […]

Patient Testimonies

High drug prices are killing the people our great country is supposed to protect.

My name is Michael Nielsen and my wife, Jacki, and I live in Bend, Oregon. I am a two-tour disabled Vietnam combat veteran, so my family has health coverage from CHAMPVA. But even with insurance, we’ve had trouble affording Jacki’s medication for chronic hepatitis C. Jacki is currently trying out a new drug, Mavyret, on […]

Patient Testimonies

Sheila's Story

I’m honored to join the fight to lower prescription drug prices as Executive Director of Patients For Affordable Drugs, a role I began last week  For almost four years I’ve watched in awe as P4AD helped thousands of patients stand up for change, their voices growing louder and louder. With every member of my family […]

Patient Testimonies

It would cost me about $32,000 to stay alive for just a single month.

My name is Jay Gironimi and I live in southeastern Connecticut. When I was 9 months old, I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. CF affects the lungs and digestive system, making it hard to breathe and eat without treatment. In the mid 80s when I was diagnosed, it was predicted that about half of people […]

Patient Testimonies

It was a huge burden on our family.

My name is Mariah Erby and I’m a high school student from Aberdeen, Maryland. I live with type 1 diabetes and was diagnosed soon after my 5th birthday. My diagnosis came completely out of the blue. After experiencing some severe symptoms like losing weight and constantly feeling thirsty, my mom took me to the hospital, […]

Patient Testimonies

Our system needs to change.

My name is Kip Burgess and I am from Chicago, Illinois. Eight years ago, I was diagnosed with an incurable condition called psoriatic arthritis.  Prior to my diagnosis, I had always felt stiffness getting up in the morning, but hadn’t paid it much attention –– until one morning I woke up and was unable to […]