Becky's cGVHD Journey: A Story of Resilience and Hope
(BPT) - Becky is a real patient and is pictured on the right next to her husband. Becky's story reflects her real-life experience with chronic graft versus host disease and taking REZUROCK. However, individual experiences may vary and are not necessarily representative of everyone's experience with REZUROCK. Becky was compensated for time creating this content.
An Unexpected Diagnosis, A Lifelong Journey
At 18, Becky was a vibrant college freshman, with a music scholarship earned through her oboe skills, and dreams of a future filled with teaching music, marriage, and starting a family. But life struck a dissonant chord just two weeks into her first semester. Severe back pain and nausea during a physical education class led her to the college infirmary, where she received a life-altering diagnosis: chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The words hung in the air, heavy. Becky was unfamiliar with CML, but she knew it was cancer, and her world tilted. The very next day, a hematologist explained that her most promising treatment option was a bone marrow transplant. Amidst the uncertainty and fear, hope emerged in the form of her sister, who was a perfect match to become Becky's donor. After a challenging transplant process and an extended hospital stay, Becky's leukemia entered remission, allowing her to return to college.
Three years later, during her final semester of nursing school-an adjusted career path inspired by her own experiences-Becky's leukemia relapsed. Her doctors pursued what was, in 1995, an experimental approach: a donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI). The goal was to use the donor's own immune cells to destroy the cancer, though this carried the known risk of a serious complication called graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The DLI succeeded in pushing her cancer back into remission, but the same immune response that helped fight the cancer also began attacking her own body, marking the start of her long and difficult experience with GVHD-a condition that can occur after a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, when the donor's immune cells (the "graft") see the patient's body (the "host") as foreign. GVHD affects thousands of people each year and can impact many parts of the body, showing up in different ways, including painful skin rashes, joint stiffness, lung problems, mouth sensitivity, and dry, irritated eyes.
Love, Resilience, and an Unwavering Fight
Despite the shock of relapse and mounting health challenges, Becky's positive outlook remained a steadfast anchor. Two days after her initial leukemia relapse, her then-boyfriend proposed. "Whatever time we have, I want to spend it with you," he vowed. They married on the very day Becky graduated from college, an affirmation of their shared commitment. Her husband has been a constant pillar of support throughout her arduous journey. "Starting our marriage in sickness gave us the strongest foundation," Becky shared. "I've never been in the hospital alone; this is his life too. My husband gives me the strong will to fight, and I'll never take him for granted."
In addition to Becky's battle with leukemia, the added burden of living with chronic GVHD (cGVHD) took a toll on her daily. For years, she managed her cGVHD with various systemic therapies, including up to four different immunosuppressants at a time.
A Turning Point with REZUROCK
Living with cGVHD, Becky became an avid follower of medical literature and drug development. She watched REZUROCK closely during its clinical trials. Following its FDA approval in 2021, she discussed it with her doctor and began treatment with REZUROCK in April 2022.
REZUROCK is for patients 12 years and older with cGVHD after 2 prior systemic treatments did not work. REZUROCK was evaluated in 2 clinical studies that included a total of 186 people with cGVHD. One study, called the ROCKstar study, had 132 people. The other study, called the KD025-208 study, had 54 people. 75% (that's 3 out of every 4 people) of people in the ROCKstar study saw improvement in their chronic GVHD. Learn more atRezurock.com.
"Starting on REZUROCK was a game changer for me, and personally, I haven't experienced any side effects, but everyone's experience might vary. To go from managing my cGVHD with four different immunosuppressants down to just one has helped my daily routine. It helps me to focus on what truly matters to me-spending precious time with my husband and our animals. And, while I know every patient's journey is unique, I have been able to manage my cGVHD since starting REZUROCK," said Becky. It is important to know that the most common side effects of REZUROCK include infections, tiredness or weakness, nausea, diarrhea, shortness of breath, cough, swelling, bleeding, stomach (abdominal) pain, muscle or bone pain, headache and high blood pressure.
In people with cGVHD, the ROCK2 pathway in the body is too active. This can lead to a decrease in cells and molecules that help keep the immune system in check and an increase in cells and molecules that cause inflammation and fibrosis. This may result in an immune system that is out of balance. Healthcare providers may try different medicines to help treat cGVHD. However, for some people that might not be enough, and they will need a different approach like REZUROCK, which helps block the ROCK2 pathway.
Remember, your doctor is the best source of information about your health. Speak with your doctor to see if REZUROCK may be right for you. For more information, visitwww.REZUROCK.com.
Lessons from Both Sides: Becky's Perspective on Hope and Advocacy
Becky's story is one of extraordinary strength and perseverance. Determined to give back, she transformed her health challenges into a calling. "I knew life had changed," Becky recalled. "I knew I wanted to give back." This conviction fueled her decision to switch her college major from music to nursing. For two decades, she worked as a bone marrow transplant nurse, and today, she is an advocate for patients navigating similar paths. As a transplant nurse, Becky often shared her personal journey with patients who needed encouragement. She carried a photo of herself during her own treatment, a silent testament to her understanding of the physical and emotional struggles of living with a chronic condition. "Not only do I give back to my patients," Becky reflected, "but they, in turn, give so much back to me."
Becky cherishes the meaningful connections she's made with her patients. Her mission now is to spread hope and offer guidance to others:
- Listen Intently to Your Body: Note any subtle changes and discuss them promptly with your healthcare team.
- Be Your Own Advocate: Champion your needs at every stage of your journey.
- Stay Informed: Keep up to date on the latest research, treatment advancements, and clinical trials, and talk to your healthcare team.
- Lean on Your Support System: Allow loved ones to walk with you through both the light and dark moments.
- Find Your Community: Connect with others who understand your experience; shared journeys can help lighten the load.
There were times when managing cGVHD forced Becky to step back from everyday life, a deeply discouraging reality. She navigates these emotions with her personal motto-H.O.P.E. or Having Only Positive Expectations. This doesn't mean that everything will have a positive outcome, but Becky learned firsthand that approaching adversity with a positive mindset can have a powerful impact on one's mental well-being. By sharing her story, Becky hopes to inspire and empower others to take an active, informed role in their health.
USE
REZUROCK® (belumosudil) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older with chronic graft-versus-host disease (chronic GVHD) after you have received at least 2 prior treatments (systemic therapy) and they did not work. It is not known if REZUROCK is safe and effective in children less than 12 years old.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Before taking REZUROCK, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have kidney or liver problems.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. REZUROCK can harm your unborn baby. If you are able to become pregnant, your healthcare provider will do a pregnancy test before starting treatment with REZUROCK. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with REZUROCK.
- Femaleswho can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with REZUROCK and for 1 week after the last dose.
- Maleswith female partners who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with REZUROCK and for 1 week after the last dose.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if REZUROCK passes into breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with REZUROCK and for 1 week after the last dose.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take,including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. REZUROCK may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect the way REZUROCK works.
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How should I take REZUROCK?
- Take REZUROCK exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
- Do not change your dose or stop taking REZUROCK without first talking to your healthcare provider.
- Take REZUROCK 1 time a day with a meal.
- Take REZUROCK at about the same time each day.
- Swallow REZUROCK tablets whole with a glass of water.
- Do not cut, crush, or chew REZUROCK tablets.
- Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your liver at least 1 time a month during treatment with REZUROCK.
- If you miss a dose of REZUROCK, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. Take your next dose of REZUROCK at your regular time on the next day. Do not take extra doses of REZUROCK to make up for a missed dose.
- If you take too much REZUROCK, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
What are the possible side effects of REZUROCK?
The most common side effects of REZUROCK include:
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Your healthcare provider may change your dose of REZUROCK, temporarily stop, or permanently stop treatment with REZUROCK if you have certain side effects.
REZUROCK may affect fertility in males and females. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you.
These are not all the possible side effects of REZUROCK. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Pleaseclick here for full Prescribing Information.
You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also contact Kadmon Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a Sanofi Company, at 1-800-633-1610 to report side effects.
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REZUROCK and Sanofi are registered trademarks of Sanofi or an affiliate.
MAT-US-2506256-v1.0-07/2025
Source: BrandPoint
