The FAIR Foundation is dedicated to fair and equitable distributions of Nation Institutes of Health (NIH) research funds for all diseases, including the sixteen that kill more Americans than AIDS.

FAIR members Dave and Susan Dunlap are seen here in happier times, when Dave was healthy and they were celebrating their marriage. Dave became ill and now needs a liver transplant; however he was denied social security disability income benefits which meant he could not get Medicare, and Medicare was his only hope for insurance. And if he was granted the disability income benefits he would have to wait the mandatory two years before obtaining the Medicare to pay for his much needed liver transplant.

Caregivers are patients' Angels; they enable us to live with dignity while ill and they battle for us to get the care we need. Susan fills that role admirably and she wrote this urgent request for help and posted it online.

Pam Langford Sunnie Rose Berger Bill Remak

Responding to Susan's pleas for help were FAIR members Pam Langford in Florida who saw Susan's post on Pam's HepCingles2 Yahoo group, Sunnie Rose Berger in California and our Board member, Bill Remak. All three asked our CEO, Dr. Darling, if he could provide assistance.

Bill LaTour, JD, PhD

Dr. Darling referred Susan and Dave to Bill LaTour, another FAIR member and an attorney who specializes in helping patients get their social security disability income benefits that have been denied. Once Bill is successful in this effort for his clients, the patient can then receive Medicare and have health insurance.

Bill's office represented Dave in court a few days ago and the judge granted immediate SSDI benefits to Dave and made them retroactive to 01/01/07. Thus, Dave will receive two years of SSDI income benefits and his Medicare on 01/01/09, indeed, he will have the insurance he needs for transplant.

Lorenzo Rossaro, MD

It is important to go to court with a through medical summary of your transplant status from a transplant physician to impress upon the judge the urgent nature of the circumstances. Dave's case before the judge was aided by this medical summary provided by Lorenzo Rossaro, MD, who is a member of our Board of Directors and the Medical Director of Liver Transplant at UC Davis in Sacramento, CA.

Laudably, Susan followed up with an excellent letter to the editor with information on a hepatitis C support group she has formed in Kern County, CA that will be facilitated by a professional.

Our prayers are with Dave for a successful transplant and to his wife, Susan.

Pam Langford:
Founder of the H.E.A.L.S. of the South (Hepatitis Education Awareness & Liver Support) and has been a tireless advocate for hepatitis patients for decades, both in Florida and Washington, DC. The goal at H.E.A.L.S is to expand awareness about liver health through educational programs, support groups, literature, testing, counseling and public speaking.

Sunnie Rose Berger who in 1995 left a lucrative career in Law to do non-profit advocacy in HIV patients:
Executive Director of The Life Group LA, a coalition of people dedicated to the education, empowerment and emotional support of persons both infected and affected by HIV/AIDS so that they may make informed choices and decisions regarding their healthcare and personal well being.
2008 LACE (Ladies Achieving Continuing Excellence) Award, Grassroots Advocate of the Year
2007 Weho Award Winner, Outstanding Community Organization
2007 Weho Award Nominee, Outstanding Community Event (POZ Life Seminar)
2007 CHRISTOPHER STREET WEST, Los Angeles Gay, Lesbian, bisexual and transgender Pride Award for
Woman of the Year
2006 Weho Award Winner for Volunteer of the Year
2006 Weho Award Winner for Outstanding Community Event (SaddleUpLA.org AIDS Benefit Horseback Trail Ride)

Bill Remak, B.Sc.MT, BA PHA:
A member of our Board of Directors
Chairman, California Hepatitis C Task Force
Secretary, National Association of Hepatitis Task Forces
Patient Advocate: Liver Disease & Stem Cell Research. Petaluma, CA

Bill LaTour, JD, PhD http://www.drbilllatouratty.com/
Answers to frequently asked questions regarding Social Security--Disability--SSI from his website
To utilize attorney LaTour's services there is no upfront charge. He only receives payment if you are successful. If he fails to win an award for you, he receives no fee. FAIR highly recommends his services.

Lorenzo Rossaro, M.D., FACP; Director, Liver Transplant program and Professor and Chief, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California, Davis Medical Center Transplant Center Sacramento, California.
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