THANK YOU FOR MIRACLE DRUG
THESE are the beaming faces of joy that show exactly what the landmark NHS deal for a cystic fibrosis wonder drug really means.
Hundreds of families campaigned alongside the Daily Express to secure miracle treatment Kaftrio for their loved ones.
They wrote petitions, marched with us outside Parliament and shared their dreams.
Then Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced on Tuesday that NHS England had signed a multi-million pound deal with US firmVertex for Kaftrio.
It follows 18 months of non-stop campaigning by your crusading Daily Express – and our determined team of CF warriors.
Yesterday, hundreds took to social media to thank us, Vertex, Mr Hancock and NHS negotiators for making their dreams a reality.
Charlotte Joslin, 30, from St Ives, Cambs, bravely spoke about her CF battle in the Daily Express last year.
The mum of one said: “We can’t thank the Daily Express enough for all your hard work getting the CF story and campaign out there.
“Who knows where we would have been without you. We all owe you our lives.”
Maggi Waite is the mother of Darren Waite, 42, of Burnham, Bucks, who we helped get life-saving compassionate-use Kaftrio earlier this year.
She said: “If he hadn’t been able to get Kaftrio he wouldn’t be here now.” Samuel Nanson, 10, from Sunderland, held a “thank you” sign in his online message as his mother Anita wrote: “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Becky Acott, mother to sufferer Poppy, seven, of Barnstaple, Devon, said: “It really is a miracle.”
Sarah Hammond, mother to patient Katie, 14, of Luton, said: “This drug is going to change her life.”
Melanie Denning, whose son Owain, 20, has CF, said: “I secretly promised my son 20 years ago I’d fight with my last breath for him to have a future. So many brilliant people have worked on these campaigns and now that future is looking clearer.”
Cherrie Gregson, mother of six-year-old Violet added: “Violet has had the best birthday present ever thanks to you and your hard work!”
Jon Tomalin, father of Zachary Tomalin, three, said: “I always said
the Daily Express campaign has been the heavyweight to getting to this point.”
Four-year-old sufferer Charlotte Taylor’s mother Mary said: “I don’t think you’ll realise how much we appreciate it.”
And Nikki Green, mother to campaigning 12-year-old Tilly Green, said simply: “Thank you so much for all you’ve done for the CF community.”