Patients
‘I’m working toward a future where every patient can access the care they need’

After seeing how limited access to healthcare affected her family, Patricia made it her mission to help remove barriers to treatment for patients.

Patricia,Patricia

Patricia learned to ride a bike when she was 10 years old. She has spent little time on one since. This year, however, she's taking on the Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer (C2C4C) ride in honor of her uncle Romy.

Growing up in the Philippines, Patricia was close to her uncle. When he was diagnosed with blood cancer, she did everything she could to help him navigate his treatment journey.

The obstacles were overwhelming. Clinical trials, patient support services and treatment options were not easily within reach. Her uncle Romy passed away in 2024.

Today, as a member of the team that helps ensure patients have access to Bristol Myers Squibb’s medicines, she is driven by a commitment to help close the gap between scientific advances and the patients who need them most.

Through C2C4C, Patricia is riding for her uncle Romy and every patient navigating a difficult journey.  Learn why, for her, victory means a future where medical breakthroughs are within reach for all patients.

Patricia's story reflects challenges that many patients face around the world when access to care, support services and innovative medicines is limited. 

Learn more about Bristol Myers Squibb's  work to address care gaps


 

View transcript

Seeing my uncle's cancer journey made me realize that innovation alone isn't enough. Patients around the world need to be able to access the treatment options that are best for them. My name is Patricia. I live in New Jersey, and I was born in the Philippines, and my family moved here when I was a young child. Tito Romy made sure that everybody in the room knew that they were seen and that they were a part of his home He was somebody I really looked up to. Tito Romy was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or CLL, in the spring of 2024.

There was no pathway to have availability of that medicine in the Philippines. Seeing my uncle's cancer journey brought the realities of the work that we do the forefront. Ultimately, he did not have access to the treatment for his cancer and he passed pretty quickly. Seeing my uncle's cancer journey often made me feel helpless. I was drawn to Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer by its mission to advance cancer research. This year, I'm riding honor of Tito Romy. I'm working towards the future where all patients have access to the best health care.

My dream is for medical innovation to reach patients regardless of who they are, where they live, or the disease that they have. That's why We Won't Lose.


 

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