in_the_media
Temple's bone marrow transplant program saves uninsured woman
Posted Oct 5, 2011
Media Outlet:
Philadelphia Inquirer
Diana Thomas bounced from doctor to specialist for nearly a year with leukemia, unable to get care without medical insurance. Thomas is a "working-age" adult —a group that constitutes more than 85 percent of the state's uninsured. After finally being transferred to Temple Bone Marrow Transplant Program, she was able to get the care she needed. A case manager helped her apply for Medicaid, her leukemia is under control and she is scheduled for a transplant on Oct. 14. "She comes in every single time to receive chemo and has a smile on her face," said Manish Sharma, the program's director. "There will be tough times in the future, but what's going to get her through are her personality and friends."