Krebsallianz and AqVida issue cancer drugs appeal for Dominican Republic mothers

Hamburg, Germany: – Oncology specialist, AqVida, is supporting an urgent appeal by not-for-profit cancer charity Krebsallianz for donations to buy anti-cancer drugs on behalf of needy cancer sufferers in the Dominican Republic.

They are encouraging supporters to donate funds to buy urgently needed drugs for patients trying to fund their own chemotherapy treatments on under subsistence incomes.

Rosalia’s story

Rosalia Vargas Gonzalez, from Puerto Plata, was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2014. Rosalia has to support herself and her family on RD$7,500 (€150) a year on disability support.

Rosalia was only able to fund her chemotherapy treatment by borrowing from the bank, friends and family. Two of her sons are unemployed and the youngest, Jeffry, died three years ago from osteosarcoma. Eldest daughter, Rosaura, 27, supports her mother as much as she can.

Now with just 16 weeks to go of her Gemcitabin course, the family’s money has run out and Rosalia missed her treatment for the first time in early July.

Krebsallianz has made an appeal for donations to purchase the 12 doses of 1.6g Gemcitabin that Rosalia needs to finish her treatment. This requires 24 vials of 1g Gemcitabin or 96 vials of 200mg Gemcitabin.

Escolástica’s story

Escolástica López (44) was diagnosed with multiple myeloma only one month ago. The mother of three cannot work and is supported by her husband, Inocencio Cepeda, a local high school teacher.

Escolástica has waged a life long struggle against anemia requiring monthly doses of Aminomux and Tadomid. Now. with multiple myeloma, her doctors in Santiago des los Caballeros are telling her she needs 32 vials of Bortezomib 3.5mg (Velcade), costing around RD$190,000 (€3,800). This is is way beyond both her basic heath insurance cover and Inocencio’s wages. With three children to support, the family has no money to pay for the extra treatments.

Urgent appeal

“We are appealing to our supporters to help us deliver people like Rosalia and Escolástica a chance at survival whilst there is still time,” said Fiona Bewley for Krebsallianz.

“No one should suffer unnecessarily just because they are poor. Any donations will help us buy the few vials of chemotherapy drugs that can deliver life and salvation for a whole family,” Bewley added.

All donations will be individually marked with photos and testimonials.

“Donors will always be able to know just how much of a difference they have made, not only to Rosalia and Escolastica but to their families as well,” said Fiona Bewley.

Last year, AqVida supported Krebsallianz directly with drugs to make free chemotherapy treatments available to cancer sufferers in one of Europe’s poorest countries, Moldova.

The Hamburg-based laboratory was also able to make 2,000 vials of paclitaxel available to Krebsallianz for administration to cancer sufferers in underdeveloped regions who would not otherwise be able to access treatment.

Notes for Editors:

About Krebsallianz

Krebsallianz is an independent registered German charity in full compliance with German laws and regulations. It is headquartered in Berlin.

The not-for-profit organization acts as a conduit for drugs donated from pharmaceutical organisations to projects in the developing world. Recently, Krebsallianz has undertaken anti-cancer projects in Ghana, Mali, the Philippines, Moldova, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.

Incorporated in 2005 , Krebsallianz is a member of the umbrella organisation UICC, founded in 1933, that unites 400 member organisations from 120 countries in their fight against cancer diseases.

The goal of UICC, which collaborates closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO), is the elimination of cancer through scientific research and prevention.

Krebsallianz CEO Robert Landry says UCC membership enables Krebsallianz to share knowledge more effectively with other organisations in fighting cancer worldwide.

About AqVida

AqVida GmbH is a German pharmaceutical company specializing in the development, registration and distribution of finished dosage forms mainly in the oncology sector. It has developed a portfolio of medicines for treating the most common types of cancer.

AqVida’s expertise in the development, registration and supply of generic oncology products and biosimilars has made the company a leading partner in the pharmaceutical industry. The Hamburg-based company also has offices in Oberhaching, Bavaria and in Hangzhou, China.

AqVida works alongside some of the major companies in the market of oncology products. Together with its partners AqVida has achieved substantial development and growth with its oncology portfolio.

As a pharmaceutical company AqVida fulfills all client requirements from API sourcing up to EU market release for the finished product. Teams of experts in development, regulatory affairs, patent issues and laboratory work bring skills and knowledge together to achieve optimum results for customers.

Products are sold under the AqVida brand or those of its partners’ in the EU and other markets.

AqVida complies with all German and EU legal requirements for the pharmaceutical industry and is GMP certified by the German Health Authorities. As a European organisation, AqVida has the knowledge and resources to provide regulatory support to meet the requirements of the complex and highly regulated EU market.