Chronic Disease Fund Goes Rock-n-Roll
By Leigh Sheldon
June 19, 2009
Panicking as her eyesight slowly began to fade, Tammy O'Brien needed help. Without medical insurance, she was unable to afford her medication at a cost of nearly $2,500 a month. After much searching, she found a solution - the Chronic Disease Fund.
"Because of them I can take my medication everyday and am feeling the best that I have in years," said O'Brien.
As a thank you to the fund for paying for her medication, Tammy and her husband Danny will be hosting the Jammin' for the Chronic Disease Fund on Saturday at the
The event will have 11 local bands including The Good Intentions and Sierra playing throughout the day. The O'Brien's are providing all the hot dogs, hamburgers, barbeque, chips, drinks and homemade deserts.
There is a $10 admission fee along with any other donations going to the Chronic Disease Fund. Children under 12 get in free.
Silent auctions will take place throughout the day along with a cake sale.
Tammy O'Brien was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999. As a result of being unable to afford her medication, she became partially blind with decreased activity in her legs.
O'Brien, 47, of Christiansburg, had contacted several companies to get medical coverage but was always denied because of her pre-existing condition. Fortunately, one company provided her with the phone number for the Chronic Disease Fund.
The Chronic Disease Fund is an independent, non-profit organization providing financial assistance to under-insured and uninsured patients with chronic disease or other life-altering conditions.
"People with chronic or life-threatening diseases should not be forced to carry the weight of paying for their medication at the expense of feeding their families or paying their mortgages," said Gloria Barotta, Director of Communications for the Chronic Disease Fund.
According to the Chronic Disease Fund website, the organization has provided financial well-being to more than 24,000 patients since 2003 and currently provides financial assistance to more than 10,000 patients each year.
The Chronic Disease Fund has been paying for O'Brien's medication for the past two years and she has now regained her eyesight.
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