My inspiring "second father" Don was diagnosed ten years ago with a rare and incurable disease known as Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA)-Associated Vasculitis, a condition that ruthlessly attacked his kidneys. His kidneys were damaged with only 16% of their function remaining, leaving him on the brink of end-stage renal kidney disease - an alarming and life-threatening situation!
 
To make matters worse, Medicare now refuses to approve the proven life-saving Rituximab infusions for Don, essentially giving him a death sentence! Medicare has twice denied his claims for the infusions, in shocking defiance of medical necessity. They have turned a deaf ear to the impassioned pleas and expert advice included in our appeals. But together we hope to change their minds!

Rituximab is more than a treatment; it is a chance at life, at hope.  For patients like Don, it represents the opportunity to drive the disease back into remission, stabilize kidney function, slow disease progression, and improve quality of life.  If Medicare does not approve the claim for it, then even his secondary insurance will not cover it, leaving him effectively uninsured - facing an unbearable cost and very little recourse for treatment!
 
We are reaching out to the community with an urgent plea to get behind Don’s right to access essential medical care. We need to call attention to Medicare’s bureaucratic ruthlessness, reaffirm how Don ought to be treated - as a valuable person - and hopefully gain the ear of higher decision-makers. Will you make your voice heard?  Please join us in standing with Don and his family, and sign the petition (on the right) now. 
 
God bless and thank you so very much! 

P.S. - If you haven't used Change.org before, the website will need to verify you after you enter your email address, so check your email to finish the process and add your signature.

Also, don't feel pressured at all about making a donation if you see a donation screen. These donations are only to help the Change.Org website and would not go to Don.
 
Further details:  
Rituximab is an infusion that has received FDA approval and is supported by an overwhelming medical consensus for its efficacy in treating his specific condition. The drug successfully caused his vasculitis to go into remission after the initial dose 10 years ago.

Don's healthcare journey is attended and championed by the world renowned Mayo Clinic, who has even sent a letter of expert opinions to Medicare on his behalf requesting coverage for his most recent infusions of Rituximab.
 
Don is now fighting for his life more than ever, attempting not to lose any more kidney function. His diet is already extremely restricted. He was able to have some improved quality of life when the vasculitis was in remission, but with the return of this disease’s activity comes increased risk and silent deterioration in his body's essential systems. 
 
Instead of being willing to support his quality of life and approve Rituximab in Don's  treatment plan, Medicare senselessly withholds coverage.
 
Medicare has also doubled the price on Rituximab in the past 6 months, making it even harder for patients to gain access to the drug. This is on top of the severe pushback they have made to approving the treatment under insurance coverage.
 
We need Medicare to recognize the undeniable need for Rituximab infusions as part of a compassionate and medically sound treatment approach. These patients are worthy to live, but Medicare staffers refuse to acknowledge this.