A Breath of Fresh Air

Gerald is a Tampa native who was fortunate to have a long and fulfilling career. Unfortunately, the nature of his work did not always expose him to the cleanest air. In the 1950’s, he served in the U.S. Navy. After that, he started a 30-year career in Construction where he did a variety of jobs, including welding and ironworking. Gerald enjoyed his life experiences—his lungs, not so much.

In 2019, Gerald was diagnosed with Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). AATD is a genetic condition when your body doesn’t produce enough of a protein that protects the lungs. As a result, those with AATD are more likely than others to suffer lung damage, especially when exposed to environmental stressors like air pollution.

AATD is a condition that is not frequently diagnosed. As a result, Gerald was not initially able to get coverage or access to care with his Medicare Advantage plan. Six months later, he was referred to Sage Infusion. Beyond simply administering medication, Sage works on behalf of each patient to secure all financial support available to them. In Gerald’s case, the Sage Intake team collaborated diligently with his physician, his insurance provider, and the NORD Foundation, and in short order, got the coverage he needed.  

With regular treatments of Prolastin, Gerald experienced an immediate improvement in symptoms and a better quality of life. He can fully enjoy his retirement, which mostly consists of spending time with his wife, two dogs, and two pigs, and even working around the house, without worrying about his condition.