War Vet needs $60K for cancer meds
Donation protected
Col. Curtis Mattison served us in the Iraqi War, now we are asking you to consider donating to help him pay for his lifesaving cancer medication.
He was diagnosed 18 months ago with stage 4 kidney cancer. It has spread to his liver and lungs. His biggest (really his only) wish is to finish raising his 6 kids alongside his wife. Curtis has already tried 3 treatments with no success. There were no other medications available to save his life....until now.
There is a new medication called Keytruda. In clinical trials it has shown to have a 40% chance that it can save Curtis' life – put him into remission. The medication is about $20,000 every 3 weeks and his insurance will not cover it. His doctor is willing to prescribe it. Keytruda is still waiting for FDA approval for treatment on kidney cancer, which is why the insurance won’t/can’t pay for it (until it has been approved). It is rumored that Keytruda will be approved, maybe late this year or early 2016, it has already been approved for melanoma, so it's just a matter of time but Curtis probably can't wait that long. The manufacturer can’t provide the medication for kidney cancer patients either until it has been approved.
Please help Curtis and his family pay for this medication that could save his life. Any funds donated that are not used on his medication will be donated to kidney cancer research (unless you specify not to).
He was just admitted into a clinical trial on experimental medication. If it works, we are hoping it will buy him some time, time to get this new medication treatment plan put together.
Colonel Curtis Mattison is 54 and is married to my girlfriend AnneLena, they have 6 kids ages 12, 12, 12 (triplets) 14, 23 and 28. They live by Sacramento, California. Curtis is still serving in the Army, he was full-time, but is now in the Army Reserve, he’s been serving our country for 37 years. He was in Iraq/Kuwait from the time his triplets were 12-30 months old. His duty station was in an area that has confirmed presence of Depleted Uranium, exposure causes many types of cancer. Curtis made a huge sacrifice for us.
The whole Mattison family could also need some help cutting thru the red tape at the Veterans Administration and/or the Army, so they can finally get the benfits Curtis has earned for his family.
He filed his paperwork for a medical retirement from the Army 8 months ago. Because he hit mandatory retirement status 7 months ago this should have been approved quickly. Unfortunately it has stalled somewhere in the process. The Army is refusing to acknowledge that his cancer was caused by the Depleted Uranium. While his paperwork is pending Curtis and his family are not receiving any benefits, and once/if they get benefits those will not be back-dated.
Curtis has also filed a claim with the VA (Veterans Administration). The VA has guidelines stating that all claims must be finalized in 90-120 days. Curtis’ claim was filed over 16 months ago. While his claim is still pending he has no access to any treatments.
Please, share this family’s story in as many places as you can. We need all the exposure we can get. Hopefully someone who learns about Curtis’ story has the power to help move things forward with the Army and the VA. Neither their Congressman or Senator have been able to help. We would also love some media exposure to help get the story out. Help us make this go “viral”.
If you have any questions please contact me here or contact Curtis’ wife AnneLena at [email redacted]. Thank you.
He was diagnosed 18 months ago with stage 4 kidney cancer. It has spread to his liver and lungs. His biggest (really his only) wish is to finish raising his 6 kids alongside his wife. Curtis has already tried 3 treatments with no success. There were no other medications available to save his life....until now.
There is a new medication called Keytruda. In clinical trials it has shown to have a 40% chance that it can save Curtis' life – put him into remission. The medication is about $20,000 every 3 weeks and his insurance will not cover it. His doctor is willing to prescribe it. Keytruda is still waiting for FDA approval for treatment on kidney cancer, which is why the insurance won’t/can’t pay for it (until it has been approved). It is rumored that Keytruda will be approved, maybe late this year or early 2016, it has already been approved for melanoma, so it's just a matter of time but Curtis probably can't wait that long. The manufacturer can’t provide the medication for kidney cancer patients either until it has been approved.
Please help Curtis and his family pay for this medication that could save his life. Any funds donated that are not used on his medication will be donated to kidney cancer research (unless you specify not to).
He was just admitted into a clinical trial on experimental medication. If it works, we are hoping it will buy him some time, time to get this new medication treatment plan put together.
Colonel Curtis Mattison is 54 and is married to my girlfriend AnneLena, they have 6 kids ages 12, 12, 12 (triplets) 14, 23 and 28. They live by Sacramento, California. Curtis is still serving in the Army, he was full-time, but is now in the Army Reserve, he’s been serving our country for 37 years. He was in Iraq/Kuwait from the time his triplets were 12-30 months old. His duty station was in an area that has confirmed presence of Depleted Uranium, exposure causes many types of cancer. Curtis made a huge sacrifice for us.
The whole Mattison family could also need some help cutting thru the red tape at the Veterans Administration and/or the Army, so they can finally get the benfits Curtis has earned for his family.
He filed his paperwork for a medical retirement from the Army 8 months ago. Because he hit mandatory retirement status 7 months ago this should have been approved quickly. Unfortunately it has stalled somewhere in the process. The Army is refusing to acknowledge that his cancer was caused by the Depleted Uranium. While his paperwork is pending Curtis and his family are not receiving any benefits, and once/if they get benefits those will not be back-dated.
Curtis has also filed a claim with the VA (Veterans Administration). The VA has guidelines stating that all claims must be finalized in 90-120 days. Curtis’ claim was filed over 16 months ago. While his claim is still pending he has no access to any treatments.
Please, share this family’s story in as many places as you can. We need all the exposure we can get. Hopefully someone who learns about Curtis’ story has the power to help move things forward with the Army and the VA. Neither their Congressman or Senator have been able to help. We would also love some media exposure to help get the story out. Help us make this go “viral”.
If you have any questions please contact me here or contact Curtis’ wife AnneLena at [email redacted]. Thank you.
Organizer
AnneLena Mattison
Organizer
Gilbert, AZ