Jovan Rodriguez had no insurance and no savings when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
He's one of the young people referred to by some as the Young Invincibles—those who fall in the 19-29 age bracket and make up the largest group of uninsured in the country—and he appears in our segment on the Young and Uninsured.
But Jovan didn't take the news passively. Instead, he eventually managed to secure coverage through Medi-Cal, which normally only applies to those under 21 or over 65.And he created a video documentary of his treatment, hoping to leave some kind of record in case it didn't go so well. This video is a condensed version of video taken during his last day of chemotherapy, and it's not for the queasy.
Links
• Visit Jovan's MySpace page
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I just happened to watch SoCal Connected tonight. Of course, because I am a cancer survivor myself my ears prick up when I hear cancer is the topic of any news show. I want to say to Jovan, I am so glad you were not deterred by your lack of insurance to find a way to be treated. I also want to say how impressed I am by your internist and her commitment to your care.
I was 23 years old when I was also diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease. Within moments of your story being told, I was right back there. Every feeling, smell, sight, and sound. The 60cc syringes filled with Adriamycin, the red solution made me sick just to look at it.
I was very, very, very lucky that I was going to school on and off, and had a full time job at the time. I had insurance. Back in 1987 insurance was different. Although, I had co-pays, and deductibles I had a stop loss as part of the policy. In effect, it made it so I did not have to go through what Jovan had to endure. I do not think I would have had the strength to fight for my care like Jovan.
Jovan, it's 22 years after my diagnosis, and I want to say to you from my personal experience the best is yet to come. Your life will have depth and meaning no one will understand unless they themselves have undergone something so brutal at a young age.
Good luck to you!
Thanks Seanne. I look back and I even begin to wonder how I managed to make it this far. I remember there were days were I felt like all hope was lost. But I couldn't give up. I mean, what other choice did I/do I really have?
Im an American citizen. We fight for our rights,for our lives and for what we believe is right. This a chance for our country to once again impact and change the way the world works. America cannot continue to slip down the same slippery slope. This expirement called the USA cannot fail,we must move forward. Every person in this country deserves the right pursue of Life, Liberty and Happiness.
LiveSTRONG - because some people can't