Access Saved Her Life. Monitoring Changed Her Future.

When Anita (name changed) was diagnosed with CML, access to treatment was her biggest concern. The monthly cost of therapy was far beyond what her family could afford. Through patient support and advocacy efforts, she gained access to treatment and, with time, regained her health.
A few years later, Anita faced a different challenge.
Although she was taking her medication regularly, she had not undergone a PCR test in more than two years. The test was unavailable locally, expensive, and she did not understand why it was important. She believed that feeling well meant the disease was under control.
During a patient support group meeting, Anita learned about the role of PCR monitoring. She discovered that treatment success was not measured by how she felt, but by what was happening at the molecular level. Encouraged by fellow patients and advocates, she arranged for testing. The results showed a loss of response that would otherwise have gone unnoticed.
Working with her physician, her treatment plan was adjusted. Within months, her response improved. Today, Anita continues to do well.
But the story does not end there.
Determined that others should not face the same barriers, Anita began speaking at patient meetings, helping new patients understand the importance of monitoring. She advocated for better access to PCR testing in her region and became a trusted voice within the patient community.
What started as a journey to access medicine became a movement to ensure patients have access to the information, monitoring, and support they need to thrive.
Twenty-five years ago, advocacy fought for access to treatment. Today, it fights for access to monitoring, informed decisions, and the possibility of a better future.
Because every CML patient deserves more than treatment. Every patient deserves the chance to know, monitor, and move forward with confidence.