Ascension Rx medication assistance program provides lifeline to a traveling missionary
Ascension Rx medication assistance team at Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola, Florida, collaborated with a missionary worker diagnosed with brain cancer to overcome the costs of medication allowing her to focus on her recovery.
A seizure during the middle of a church service was a patient's first sign that her health was in trouble. Her concerns were confirmed when doctors at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola's ER in Pensacola, Florida, discovered a brain tumor that required immediate surgery.
She was concerned how she was going to afford the life-saving treatment she needed. As missionaries, she and her husband were unsure how they would manage the cost of surgery, chemotherapy and oral medication, which alone could cost up to $30,000 per month.
Fortunately, Alli Browne, LCSW, a social worker at Ascension Sacred Heart Cancer Center, informed the patient she qualified for charity care that would provide financial assistance for medical treatments and medications. One of those programs, the Ascension Rx medication assistance program, provides medication assistance to ensure healthcare accessibility for those who need it most.
Jesse Johnson, CPhT, part of the Ascension Rx medication assistance team, worked with the patient to address her medication barriers.
“The benefit of having our own pharmacy is that we can identify and remove barriers before patients even leave the clinic or hospital to pick up medicine at our pharmacy,” Jesse said. “The goal is to ease one of the patients’ worries so they can focus on their health.”
After surgery, the missionary received six weeks of outpatient radiation therapy at the Cancer Center followed by oral medication. When she had to return home where care arrangements were not yet in place, the medication assistance team provided essential support that allowed her to receive uninterrupted treatment.
Alli said the prescription program ensures equal access to life-saving medications. “It's fulfilling to be a part of a team that is making a significant impact on patients' lives,” she said.
Ascension is committed to caring for the people who need us the most - regardless of their ability to pay. Click here to learn more about financial assistance at Ascension Sacred Heart.
Last updated: April 30, 2025