My name is Alice, and I have lost close friends and family to cancer. When cancer touches your life, it drives you to find the answers to fight back. I had no idea one of those answers was in my backyard. A promising cancer drug, CBT-1, is made right here in my hometown of Lexington, KY. The only problem is the FDA has yet to approve CBT-1 for use in cancer treatment.

CBT-1 is a drug that has shown the potential to treat some forms of multi-drug resistant cancers and allows patients to take lower doses of chemotherapy. The result is better patient comfort and prolonged life expectancy.

People living with cancer deserve those extra days, the ability to create more memories, and knowing a hug goodbye won’t be the last. It’s time the FDA approve CBT-1. Approval will mean doctors can prescribe CBT-1 and insurance companies will help cover the costs.

When I learned about CBT-1, I wanted to find out as much information as possible. At the time I had a close friend with stage 4 lung cancer. She was amazing and was fighting her cancer with strength and grace. Before I told her about CBT-1, I wanted to make sure I had all the facts. False hope was the last thing I wanted to give my dear friend.

I learned CBT-1 had gone through 17 years of testing and trials. It had shown great promise in helping treat multi-drug resistant cancer. Multi-drug resistance is a reason why so many people die of cancer. Simply put, the chemotherapy stops working and the cancer takes it’s horrible toll. CBT-1 worked with a cancer treatment to remain effective and require a lower dose. All that is needed is approval from the FDA.

When I told my friend about the drug, I was shocked to find out she was already taking it. She was a part of one of the clinical trials and said it was the reason she was doing so well. In the end, she lost her battle with cancer. When she was diagnosed she was told she only had months to live. But because of CBT-1, her doctors believe we got 8 years with her we wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Those extra years together and seeing how strong my friend was with CBT-1 is the reason I started this petition. It’s been over 2 years and it is time the FDA approve CBT-1 now.