CANCER DRUG SHORTAGE Parents Of Sick Children Push For Increased Production Of Cancer Drug
Reported by: Elizabeth Norieka
Videographer: Tim Rock
Web Producer: Elizabeth Noreika
Reported: Feb. 20, 2012 9:24 PM EST
Updated: Feb. 20, 2012 9:30 PM EST
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
A serious shortage of a life saving drug used to treat children with cancer has parents of sick children across the country and West Virginia concerned.
We spoke with two families at Women and Children's Hospital. The Curry family from Kanawha County and the Houschins from Summers.
Each of their 5 year old little boys has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or A-L-L.
Its cure rate is very high, largely in part to preservative free Methotrexate; a drug with a dwindling supply.
Supplies started dramatically decreasing last year when one of the largest manufactures of the product shut down. Now the shortage is being termed a crisis, causing parents and doctors to plea with politicians to make a change.
Parents and doctors alike are encouraging people to write to their local politicians, urging them to press for the increased production of this life saving medicine.
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Elizabeth Norieka
