Good news for Morgan
Jordan Morgan talks about his health, compassionate care program
Jordan Morgan had some good news to share Saturday evening. His chemotherapy appears to be effective and the drug company Eli Lilly may pay for the rest of his treatments.
Fingers crossed.
Jordan was at Still Fired Distilleries in Lequille Feb. 17 where scores of people gathered to raise money to help him pay for an expensive cancer treatment not covered by MSI.
Jordan would not have been able to afford the $15,000-per dose Lartruvo chemotherapy treatment with a total price tag of $130,000.
When childhood acquaintance Sarah Yetman found out what he was facing, she started a Gofundme page and so far has raised $21,753. Live Well Challenges, started by realtor Andrea Smith, have raised thousands more, and there has been a single contribution of $15,000. And Todd Newell, who started the entire Live Well Challenge phenomena, personally raised an amazing $6,000 for Jordan and presented him with the money Saturday evening.
The Still Fired event raised another $5,307 thanks to the generosity of the 117 people who bought tickets to the fundraiser and the numerous others who provided food, drink, and entertainment free of charge – with people helping out from as far away as Halifax and Meteghan.
Jordan Morgan
Jordan, 34, is a nurse and worked at Digby hospital. About four years ago he was diagnosed with undifferentiated cell sarcoma after finding a lump in his leg. He’s had successive surgeries, tumours, and radiation, but this time there’s a tumour on his lung and time is running out – hence Sarah Yetman’s concern.
Jordan is from Annapolis Royal but now lives in the Digby area. After a story appeared on the Annapolis County Spectator and Digby County Courier websites, both communities rallied around Jordan, determined they would raise the money to fund his treatments.
With enough money raised by the public, by Feb. 17 he’d already started treatment at a clinic in Yarmouth and was able to share the good news about his health and plans by the drug company to help him. He re-iterated it the next day on Facebook.
“I had the opportunity last evening among friends and family to share some great news,” he wrote. “The drug company Eli Lilly has initiated a compassionate care program and I am enrolled in the application process.”
He said as it has been explained to him that means he should have coverage for his chemotherapy as early as his next cycle – pending approval.
“I can’t help but be a little apprehensive,” he said. “This is the progress we have been fighting for though. This means the treatment will be covered for all Canadians in this situation. There is also no doubt in my mind that I received this treatment on time due to the timely support I’ve received from family, friends, and strangers.”
But there was more.
“This news combined with the fact that my chest mass seems to be getting smaller and less inflamed, has made this weekend pretty much indescribable,” he wrote.
See GOOD NEWS FOR JORDAN,A10