Fighting for his life

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 05:00:00

Fighting for his life

Eric Drew after his leukemia diagnosis. more >>

In 2003, Eric Drew thought he was dying from a rare form of leukemia. He was about to undergo an experimental bone marrow transplant that could save his life when he found out someone working in the hospital had stolen his identity.

Eric wasn't ready to accept either his death sentence or the loss of his identity. And so, using a portable life support system in a backpack, he left his hospital bed to pursue the thief.

Eventually, with the help of a TV reporter and a surveillance video, the thief was caught. He was sentenced to prison in the first, and so far the only, successful case brought under the HIPAA privacy act.

Eric now. more >>

Eric's first transplant failed, but a later experimental transplant using double umbilical cord stem cells apparently saved Eric's life. He's now an advocate for patient information about treatment options - and he speaks about how to protect yourself from identity theft. He joins guest host Scott Jagow.

Learn about Eric's foundation

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The Story from American Public Media - Fighting for his life

Fighting for his life

Fighting for his life