Meeting Abby

With all of the debates and discussions around the future of healthcare, the human stories of patients can sometimes be forgotten. Part of the reason my colleagues and I love where we work is that our company plays such an important role in helping get critical medicine to patients in need, everyday, all across the country. And one of the best parts of my job is when I get to meet those patients whose life we impacted – like I did the other day.

I had the pleasure of hosting 9-year old Abby, her brother, sister, mom and a family friend at our Lakeland, Florida distribution center last week, where we took a tour and met the team. Earlier this year, Abby was undergoing chemotherapy and needed assistance getting her medication in the midst of a shortage of that particular drug. In oncology treatment, the specific dosing, timing, and continuity of care is critical so this was an emergency situation. Through the power of LinkedIn, Abby’s mom's friend reached out to one of our McKesson colleagues who was a mutual connection. Without knowing her, our McKesson team kicked into gear over the weekend to help find the product Abby needed and get it to her so that she could continue her treatment uninterrupted. Our team was able to help her and we – Abby, her mom, me and our distribution center team – wanted to meet each other to celebrate the fact that Abby is responding well to her treatment and doing much better.

Abby’s mom, Laura, (who calls herself her family’s Chief Caretaker and Normalcy Officer) calls the McKesson team her “heroes”. But it was Laura, Abby and her siblings that inspired us with their family story and fight. As a parent myself, I was teary-eyed many times during our visit as they shared their journey and the part our team played. And Laura is not done advocating; she has started a non-profit, Angels for Change, to help other families dealing with medication shortages. You can learn more about her story and the organization here. 

While most of us, unfortunately, have been touched by cancer at some point in our life, nothing tugs at your heartstrings more than a child who has to deal with that awful diagnosis. Our team was so honored to host Abby and her family and help them better understand the path a medicine takes from manufacturer to patient – and meet the people who pick, pack and ship that medicine with the utmost care, knowing that someone’s loved one is at the end of the supply chain. Each of our distribution centers has a sign that reads: “It’s not just a package, it is a patient”, which serves as a rallying cry for all of us. This day was a too real reminder that it’s not just a saying – it is powerfully real.

The U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain is a complicated business, but I’m proud of the important role that McKesson plays. We work hard to do our part to improve care in every setting… one product, one partner, one Abby at a time.