Thalassemia Patients and Friends

Discussion Forums => Thalassemia Major => Topic started by: praneeta on March 06, 2016, 10:54:31 AM

Title: Thalassemia Transfusion in San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: praneeta on March 06, 2016, 10:54:31 AM

I want to travel to California to visit my brother and stay there for a couple of months. However, for me to be able to stay there for more than 15 days, I would require blood transfusion. I will be traveling on a tourist visa and won't be eligible for any kind of insurance. How do I go about getting a transfusion there? I have heard that out of pocket costs for medical treatment are very expensive.
Does anybody know where I can get this done and what would this cost.

Edit: I do know about Children's Hospital in Oakland. I am trying to contact them. Should I be looking at any other options?

PS: I am 24 years old and would require a 2 unit transfusion every 15 days.

Title: Re: Thalassemia Transfusion in San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: Andy Battaglia on March 06, 2016, 04:07:34 PM

Contact Eileen at CAF to see if there are any programs to help travelers with transfusions costs.

Cooley's Anemia Foundation
330 Seventh Avenue, #900
New York, NY 10001
(800)522-7222
Fax: 212-279-5999

Patient Services Manager
Eileen Scott
escott@thalassemia.org

Title: Re: Thalassemia Transfusion in San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: Bostonian_04 on March 07, 2016, 07:52:41 PM

Praneeta, apart from asking CAF as Andy has mentioned, you should also contact Dr. Lal or RN Stephanie Welty. PM me if you need their email address.