Ted Girgus, an energetic man who stood up and fought as hard as he could for what he believed in, lost his battle with prostate cancer on Wednesday, November 23rd.

Ted had hoped to be on Provenge way back in 2007.

Here’s Ted protesting for Provenge approval back in 2008:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q0uQAL_YDA

Ted could have been rebuilding his immune system all these years had it not been for FDA illegally leaked letters disparaging Provenge right after the Provenge Advisory Committee voted to support approval of Provenge. The panelists voted Provenge SAFE by a count of 17 to 0 and voted Provenge showed SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE OF EFFICACY by a count of 13 to 4.

A severely conflicted doctor, namely, Dr. Howard Scher, working out of Sloan Kettering in New York City, spearheaded the delay on many fronts. It is Care To Live’s contention that Scher helped write a letter, along with three other doctors, on behalf of Cougar Biotechnology before the March 29, 2007 panel hearing, in which they begged the FDA not to approve Provenge. At that time Scher did not disclose that he was leading a Novacea Asentar trial and a Cougar Abiraterone trial, both products in competition with Provenge. This explains why he was so active in fighting against Provenge approval during the hearing. After the hearing he worked with Alison Martin from NCI on a letter that was illegally leaked to The Cancer Letter by the FDA. The fact that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and Congress, all allowed this malfeasance with impunity, while lives like Ted’s were hanging in the balance, is as despicable an act as any for agencies that supposedly are serving the public.

Ted greatly appreciated Care To Live’s fight for Provenge’s approval. He and his family fought right alongside us. Ted remains forever an exemplary American citizen despite the fact that our government, paid for by his hardworking tax dollars, betrayed him.

Here is an excerpt from the last e-mail Ted wrote to CTL:

Hi Gang,

I’ve been keeping a low profile for awhile due to my new prognosis. My doctors have told me that the cancer has affected my kidneys. I’ve been told that I have about 2 months to live. I will contact the Provenge Site where I live but I think I’m past the point that they will accept me.

I want you all to know how special you have made my life and the purpose you have given me and my family.

The Scriptures tell us it’s not how we start our lives that’s important, it how we end it.

You have filled me with strength and purpose and for that I will always be grateful.

God Bless You All and I know I will see you in heaven!!!

Ted

May you rest in peace, Ted Girgus. Thanks for all you did for Care To Live. You were instrumental in the eventual approval of Provenge, and all cancer patients throughout the world owe you a debt of gratitude.

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Tags: Alison Martin, Care To Live, Dendreon, FDA, Howard Scher, NCI, provenge, Richard Pazdur, sloan kettering, Ted Girgus

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 27th, 2011 at 12:57 pm and is filed under The Cause. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.