Shelby Trieu
Spotlight: Jennifer

My name is Jennifer, and I am a childhood cancer survivor who has been impacted by the national drug shortage. Rhabdomyosarcoma became a common word in my family when I was three years old. By the time of diagnosis, the cancer had metastasized from the middle ear into the mastoid and eustachian tube. The oncology team told my parents there was less than a three percent chance for me to live out the year. There was no definitive treatment protocol to defeat this rare form of cancer, and the survival rate was extremely low. Over the next two and a half years, I underwent surgeries, full head and neck radiation, and a four-drug chemotherapy cocktail. Just before my sixth birthday, I became one of the rare survivors and entered remission.

Spotlight: Jennifer
Guest User
Spotlight: Christina and Gavin

Gavin started showing symptoms early on in life. Years of seeing specialists and countless tests and imaging only led to more questions. Our local team applied to the Undiagnosed Disease Network, and Gavin was soon accepted. During our stay at Duke University Hospital, a genetic test revealed a tiny mutation on the NLRP3 gene that was causing uncontrolled systemic inflammation.

Spotlight: Christina and Gavin
Guest User
Spotlight: Warn-Johnston Family

Brannon’s treatment involved so many hospital visits and chemotherapy sessions. It is so hard to watch your child go through cancer treatment. This terrible crisis was made worse when a few months into treatment Brannon faced a chemotherapy shortage that disrupted her care.

Spotlight: Warn-Johnston Family
Guest User
Spotlight: Kristin & Bryton

During treatment, he had lots of obstacles and hurdles that he had to overcome, including several drug shortages. Our son faced 4 drug shortages during his treatment. Each one created a lot of fear and uncertainty that he was not going to be able to get the medicine he needed.

Spotlight: Kristin & Bryton
Guest User
Spotlight: Angelos & Elisabeth

As parents, we lost the ground under our feet. How can crucial medicines for treating children suffering from cancer not be available? How do hospitals specialized in treating kids not have alternatives or a mechanism to prevent these kinds of shortages? Why do patients, like us, basically depend on one source supplying this medicine?

Spotlight: Angelos & Elisabeth

Shortage Stories

Every drug shortage has patient warriors fighting for their lives. Every warrior has a story. See more videos of warriors here. Read our Shortage Story blog posts below.

Spotlight: Jennifer

Spotlight: Jennifer

My name is Jennifer, and I am a childhood cancer survivor who has been impacted by the national drug shortage. Rhabdomyosarcoma became a common word in my family when I was three years old. By the time of diagnosis, the cancer had metastasized from the middle ear into the mastoid and eustachian tube. The oncology team told my parents there was less than a three percent chance for me to live out the year. There was no definitive treatment protocol to defeat this rare form of cancer, and the survival rate was extremely low. Over the next two and a half years, I underwent surgeries, full head and neck radiation, and a four-drug chemotherapy cocktail. Just before my sixth birthday, I became one of the rare survivors and entered remission.

Spotlight: Christina and Gavin

Spotlight: Christina and Gavin

Gavin started showing symptoms early on in life. Years of seeing specialists and countless tests and imaging only led to more questions. Our local team applied to the Undiagnosed Disease Network, and Gavin was soon accepted. During our stay at Duke University Hospital, a genetic test revealed a tiny mutation on the NLRP3 gene that was causing uncontrolled systemic inflammation.

Spotlight: Angelos & Elisabeth

Spotlight: Angelos & Elisabeth

As parents, we lost the ground under our feet. How can crucial medicines for treating children suffering from cancer not be available? How do hospitals specialized in treating kids not have alternatives or a mechanism to prevent these kinds of shortages? Why do patients, like us, basically depend on one source supplying this medicine?

Spotlight: Aileen

Spotlight: Aileen

My name is Aileen and I am married to my husband, Nick. We both work and live in the Boston area with our almost 3-year-old daughter. We are a very typical family and enjoy a love of the outdoors and traveling with our little girl. She loves spending time with her family and friends and her most beloved cat, Belle.

Spotlight: Michael Thompson

Spotlight: Michael Thompson

Hello my name is Michael Thompson I’m from Ankeny, Iowa and I am 61 years old. My cancer story began with a recurring, minor throat irritation and earache. They would come and go over the course of several months. I did mention them to my family doctor a couple times, but there was no resolution. I eventually went to an ear, nose and throat doctor suspecting that I had some sort of inner ear infection, but instead I was diagnosed with cancer.

Spotlight: Tiffanie & Finn

Spotlight: Tiffanie & Finn

My name is Tiffanie. I am a mom of two (Harper and Finn), wife and nurse. In January of 2020 myson, Finn, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. No amount of medical education,training or experience prepares you for the news that your child has cancer. It feels like an out ofbody experience. I felt helpless, heartbroken, and numb.