A video glimpsing into the lives of those who live with eosinophilic disorders, people who are helped by the CURED (Campaign Urging Research of Eosinophilic Disorders) Foundation. For more information visit www.curedfoundation.org!!
Well, It looks like reporter Marci Natale of WRGB CBS6 certainly had an impact
with Giovanni's story that she put together!!! It sounds like Giovanni's medical
insurance company has overturned their original denial and plan to cover Giovanni's
formula. ACCFCB will pay the initial up front expense for the first month's supply
(about $2,200.00) and the insurance company will reimburse us this expense.
ACCFCB would like to thank Marci for her investigatory work on Giovanni's behalf.
This outcome wouldn't have been possible without her effort.
I would also like to thank the community for donating to our foundation in Giovanni's
name at Key Bank's around the Capital Region. We will continue to work with the Degeorge
family and will utilize your generous donations to assist him.
Sincerely,
Marci Natale
March 5, 2008 - 4:43PM
(Colonie, N.Y.) Like most 18 month old boys Giovanni DeGeorge is learning to walk,
talk and play, but his life isn't as easy as it.
Two weeks ago, he was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis, a food allergy that
attacks his esophogis making it impossible to eat. Giovanni's Mother, Jamie says:
"I have to strap him in his high chair. We'll sit there for about a half an hour
just fighting back and forth to get him to eat. He does a lot of choking and gagging."
DeGeorge says her Pediatrician prescribed, Neocate, an amino based formula that gives
Giovanni the nourishment necessary for life, but it's costly. "We figured with 32 ounces
of formula a day that he's gonna go through two to two and a half cans a day which is
gonna be a burden on my family. We figured that its probably gonna be about $563.00 a
week to feed my son."
DeGeorge says the cost is so high, because insurance won't pay.They told her, it's not
a metabolic disease on their list and there's nothing they can do. When CBS6 called her
insurance company, Pharmacare, they said the medication was probably refused because the
coverage for this type of medication was probably not part of the patients plan. Regardless,
Jamie DeGeorge is vowing to fight it, determined to do whatever she can to keep her son
alive. "It's overwhelming to know that this is something that he medically needs and its
frustrating knowing that there's no way financially that we can come up with the money
for him to have this formula."
Jamie DeGeorge (Giovanni's mom)
On Tuesday evening, December 11, 2007, ACCFCB met with 15 month old Giovanni DeGeorge and his family.
Here are some particulars regarding Giovanni:
Giovanni was fitted with a prosthetic right eye this week in Rochester-
(every 6 mos it will be cleaned & polished; every 3 years it will be enlarged)
He is waiting to be diagnosed with Blount's disease,
a rare growth disorder affecting both legs
Shriners Hospital will hold off doing surgery on both of his legs- (severely bowlegged & left foot turns in)
He is developmentally delayed & gets therapy four times a week for early intervention. (Speech therapy & special ed.)
He has been diagnosed with a swallowing disfunction with aspiration.
He has also been diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esopahgitis.
He has Reflux.
Uses a nebulizer & steroids for bronchiolitis.
Genetic testing will be done to determine if there is a common cause for all of Giovanni's complications
*6 year old sister, Shylyne had open heart surgery in 2007- she seems to be doing fine now.
We found Giovanni full of youthful energy, playing and walking. He only said "BaBa"...requesting a bottle, no other words.
His prosthetic eye looked good, mom said that there is slight rejection with it and doctors were notified (the body sees
it as a foreign object). Giovanni tends to tilt his head to the right, almost as if to highlight the use of his good eye.
Dad, Michael is a Correction Officer @ ACCF. Dad previously served in the military and was deployed to Iraq.
Mom, Jamie works for Albany County Dep't of Social Services.
Mom & Dad are in a very delicate situation with their son and we will try to help them the best that we can.
ACCFCB will help cover this families travel expenses for Giovanni's medical procedures.