At the time, Godshall was 72 and already seven years beyond the medically cut-off date for a bone marrow transplant. Additinally, the doctors warned that the odds were against him surviving the operation.
Given his situation, Godshall believed he had nothing to lose. He decided to try the surgery. He signed many wavers to assume all responsibility.
According to Godshall, the bone marrow transplant sustained him until a new medication became available to control his cancer.
Terminally ill patients do not have luxury of time
In a recent statement, Godshall noted that it takes as long as 15 years to complete three rounds of clinical trials. Many end up dying waiting for new treatments approved by the FDA.
He emphasized, “Faced with certain death, terminally ill patients do not have the luxury of time.”
Godshall also said, House Bill 45 gives them the choice to try medications that haven’t completed the rigorous FDA testing and approval process.
Under the bill, physicians will not be held responsible for recommending products to their terminally-ill patients.
