We have heard of some pretty phenomenal scientific breakthroughs recently, that can completely change the way we approach certain illnesses.
For instance, UBC has been able to develop technology that can remove the sugars and antibodies from given blood. It means that we won't have to bank extra blood from more rare blood types. Any person could receive any blood type. Lists for organ transplants would have shorter wait times. This could be absolutely revolutionary. Yet, people who suffer from illnesses who don't require the use of blood products or transfusions ask "what about us?".
We also heard today about a potential new contraceptive medication that can prevent HIV. This could also be revolutionary. It may allow more people to donate blood, receive blood, and could leave to future preventative treatments for other blood-borne illnesses.
Yet, again, people who have never experienced any of this first-hand wonder: "what about us?".
If we find a new medication that can help prevent Cancer, autoimmune patients are sitting in the wings feeling forgotten.
If we found a cure for Crohn's Disease, people with Diabetes will ask the same question. Or vice versa. If we find a cure for childhood Diabetes, people with adult-onset Diabetes will feel neglected.
If we treat Multiple Sclerosis, what about ALS? If we find new treatments for Parkinson's, what about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
Unfortunately, our world is riddled with hundreds and thousands of debilitating illnesses. They are everywhere. It appears as though every single person suffers from some type of disorder that can be severely debilitating.
The fact that scientists are CONSTANTLY coming out with new ways to cope, treat, and even prevent illnesses is actually pretty promising. There are people all over the world working tirelessly to better understand many of these hundreds of thousands of illnesses - even the extremely rare ones.
Sometimes, breakthroughs occur because someone has thought of a new approach. It does not mean that the breakthrough happened because it is deemed the most important. There are several factors that are involved - including resources, research grants, technology, people dedicated to the research - but it doesn't mean that specific groups are being specifically left behind.
Instead of comparing illnesses and feeling competitive when a new breakthrough has occurred, why not celebrate that as a raging success AND as positive reinforcement that breakthroughs ARE HAPPENING.
These are good situations. Finding a potential prevention for HIV is HUGE! Finding out how to reduce every blood type into a universal type is absolutely MASSIVE.
People - people far more educated than I will ever be - are working nonstop to try and help people. To help everyone.
Let's celebrate new discoveries instead of always asking: "What About Us?"
We will have our day.
Eventually, every illness will have improved treatments and improved symptom relief, and even cures.
If you want to help find a better treatment or cure for a specific illness, ask your local branch about what the new research requires. Maybe it's test subjects. Maybe it's funding. Maybe it is more evidence of what is needed from patients. Maybe it's general self-reporting of daily symptoms.
If you're wondering 'what about us' and you are actively involved in improving research and treatments, then you are doing exactly what needs to happen.
Breakthroughs are always good.
They also often result in more breakthroughs.
Keep fighting.
