Watch Donna discuss how her polycythemia vera (PV) diagnosis affected her career as a motivational speaker and how she found her path to possible with Jakafi® (ruxolitinib).
Video Transcript
Onscreen text: DONNA’S PATH TO POSSIBLE WITH JAKAFI® (ruxolitinib)
Donna: I'm Donna, I'm from Mississippi. I spent most of my career working with children who have speech and language disorders.
Donna: I was a very ambitious person who thought that she had life by the tail.
Donna: In 2012, I started getting a lot of invitations to speak across the country, just living my dream.
Donna: And then in 2017, I had my biggest event ever. As soon it was over, I went straight to the bathroom. I knew something was terribly wrong.
Donna: I just began to spiral downward. My world just kind of stopped. I had to turn away events.
Donna: I finally decided I didn’t want to live like this anymore. I was going to find someone who would figure out my diagnosis. I ended up in a rural clinic because I just knew I needed to start somewhere.
Donna: Something showed up in my labs. My platelets were about 947,000, my hematocrit level was 48.3.
Onscreen text: Platelets are blood clotting cells. Hematocrit (HCT) is a measure of red blood cell volume, usually stated as a percentage.
Donna: My nurse practitioner said, "I don't know what this is, but we need to move on this quickly.”
Donna: I ended up in the hospital to do more extensive testing.
Donna: I remember my doctor saying, "You definitely have a blood disorder, but I'm going to send you to a specialized oncologist who can help me determine that."
Donna: It took a month before I was able to see that oncologist, so I decided to research things that cause high platelets, high hematocrit, increased hemoglobin, and I stumbled upon this strange phrase called polycythemia vera. I thought…this is it. I just had this feeling.
Onscreen text and narrator: Polycythemia vera, or PV, is a rare, chronic blood cancer that is part of a group of diseases called myeloproliferative neoplasms, or MPNs. In PV, a person’s body makes too many red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets.
Donna: That was a pretty critical time in my life, waiting for those results.
Donna: And then they told me, "She wants you to come in. She wants to discuss them with you in person…that meant she found something.”
Donna: The diagnosis was confirmed with the results of a bone marrow biopsy.
Onscreen text: Donna was diagnosed with PV in 2020.
Donna: My doctor told me…the first treatment she needed to pursue was the oral chemotherapy, hydroxyurea. It was a first-line treatment, and I was willing to do whatever I needed to do to feel better.
Onscreen text: Hydroxyurea, or HU, is a type of chemotherapy drug that may be used to help reduce the number of blood cells in some people with PV.
Donna: The side effects were very challenging. Within a week my symptoms worsened. My fatigue, bone aches, cognition became even
worse…felt like I had the flu all the time.
Donna: It just stopped me in my tracks from being Donna, who I am. I felt like I lost my identity.
Donna: When I went back for my next visit…I said, "Okay, what can we do about this?"
Donna: My oncologist said, "You have to be on this a couple of more months.
Donna: I stuck it out for three months. I literally had a calendar on my wall marking Xs every day.
Donna: Finally she said, "You don't have to wait one more day. We’re ready to try…I have a medication and it’s called Jakafi.”
Onscreen text and narrator: Jakafi® (ruxolitinib) is the first FDA-approved prescription medicine for adults with PV who have already taken a medicine called hydroxyurea and it did not work well enough or they could not tolerate it.
Onscreen text and narrator: Please see Important Safety Information included in this video and see Full Prescribing Information for Jakafi.
Donna: I was like, "I'm ready for it, whatever it is, because I know after today, I'm going to be on a new journey, a path to possible."
Donna: She said…it's a targeted therapy, and it is not an oral chemotherapy.
Onscreen text: Jakafi is not chemotherapy. It is a targeted treatment that works to help keep the production of blood cells under control.
Donna: For me, the most helpful part is the offering of the copay assistance program.
Donna: There's a program called IncyteCARES. The support that I got for filling the prescription for Jakafi was something to behold. They work diligently to make sure you receive your medication.
Onscreen text: IncyteCARES for Jakafi is a support program that helps eligible patients understand insurance coverage, explore financial assistance options, and receive ongoing support.
Donna: I responded very well with Jakafi. Jakafi has kept my hematocrit well within normal limits, and my platelets have come down substantially.
Onscreen text: This is Donna’s experience with Jakafi. Individual results may vary. Only your Healthcare Professional can decide if Jakafi is right for you.
Donna: My outlook on life has so changed since taking Jakafi because I'm much more optimistic. There were so many things before Jakafi that I felt were impossible.
Onscreen text: The Ambassadors for Jakafi program is for eligible patients taking Jakafi who want to share their experiences to help inspire and inform others on their disease and treatment journeys.
Donna: When you’re an ambassador, you’re advocating for something you profoundly believe in and I do believe in Jakafi.
Onscreen text: In 2020, Donna joined the Ambassadors for Jakafi program.
Donna: It was going to be like an exciting journey.
Onscreen text: Donna has been taking Jakafi since 2020.
Onscreen text: Please see Important Safety Information included in this video and see Full Prescribing Information for Jakafi.
Onscreen text and narrator: Important Safety Information
Jakafi can cause serious side effects, including:
Low blood counts: Jakafi® (ruxolitinib) may cause low platelet, red blood cell, and white blood cell counts. If you develop bleeding, stop taking Jakafi and call your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will do a blood test to check your blood counts before you start Jakafi and regularly during your treatment. Your healthcare provider may change your dose of Jakafi or stop your treatment based on the results of your blood tests. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop or have worsening symptoms such as unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, shortness of breath, or a fever.
Infection: You may be at risk for developing a serious infection during treatment with Jakafi. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any of the following symptoms of infection: chills, nausea, vomiting, aches, weakness, fever, painful skin rash or blisters.
Cancer: Some people have had certain types of non-melanoma skin cancers during treatment with Jakafi. Your healthcare provider will regularly check your skin during your treatment with Jakafi. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any new or changing skin lesions during treatment with Jakafi.
Increases in cholesterol: You may have changes in your blood cholesterol levels during treatment with Jakafi. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your cholesterol levels about every 8 to 12 weeks after you start taking Jakafi, and as needed.
Increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke or death in people who have cardiovascular risk factors and who are current or past smokers while using another JAK inhibitor to treat rheumatoid arthritis: Get emergency help right away if you have any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke while taking Jakafi, including: discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back, severe tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw, pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach, shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or vomiting, feeling lightheaded, weakness in one part or on one side of your body, slurred speech
Increased risk of blood clots: Blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE) have happened in people taking another JAK inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis and may be life-threatening. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs and symptoms of blood clots during treatment with Jakafi, including: swelling, pain, or tenderness in one or both legs, sudden, unexplained chest or upper back pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Possible increased risk of new (secondary) cancers: People who take another JAK inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of new (secondary) cancers, including lymphoma and other cancers. People who smoke or who smoked in the past have an added risk of new cancers.
The most common side effects of Jakafi include: for certain types of myelofibrosis (MF) and polycythemia vera (PV) – low platelet or red blood cell counts, bruising, dizziness, headache, and diarrhea; for acute GVHD – low platelet counts, low red or white blood cell counts, infections, and swelling; and for chronic GVHD – low red blood cell or platelet counts and infections including viral infections.
These are not all the possible side effects of Jakafi. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more information. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Before taking Jakafi, tell your healthcare provider about: all the medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking and all your medical conditions, including if you have an infection, have or had low white or red blood cell counts, have or had tuberculosis (TB) or have been in close contact with someone who has TB, had shingles (herpes zoster), have or had hepatitis B, have or had liver or kidney problems, are on dialysis, have high cholesterol or triglycerides, had cancer, are a current or past smoker, had a blood clot, heart attack, other heart problems or stroke, or have any other medical condition. Take Jakafi exactly as your healthcare provider tells you. Do not change your dose or stop taking Jakafi without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Women should not take Jakafi while pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Do not breastfeed during treatment with Jakafi and for 2 weeks after the final dose.
Please see the Full Prescribing Information at Jakafi.com, which includes a more complete discussion of the risks associated with Jakafi.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call
1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Incyte Medical Information at 1-855-463-3463.
Onscreen text: Register now for information, support, and resources
Visit Jakafi.com/Register
This video is sponsored by Incyte Corporation. Jakafi and the Jakafi logo are registered trademarks of Incyte.
© 2022, Incyte Corporation. MAT-JAK-02968 01/22
Connect With
a Patient
Like Cam
Register for the Incyte Mentor Program and connect with another patient taking Jakafi.
Register for the Incyte Mentor
Program and connect with another
patient taking Jakafi.
Jakafi is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with polycythemia vera who have already taken a medicine called hydroxyurea and it did not work well enough or they could not tolerate it.
Jakafi is used to treat adults with certain types of myelofibrosis.
Jakafi is used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) who have taken corticosteroids and they did not work well enough.
Jakafi is also used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older with chronic GVHD who have taken one or two types of treatments and they did not work well enough.
Jakafi can cause serious side effects, including:
Low blood counts: Jakafi® (ruxolitinib) may cause low platelet, red blood cell, and white blood cell counts. If you develop bleeding, stop taking Jakafi and call your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will do a blood test to check your blood counts before you start Jakafi and regularly during your treatment. Your healthcare provider may change your dose of Jakafi or stop your treatment based on the results of your blood tests. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop or have worsening symptoms such as unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, shortness of breath, or a fever.
Infection: You may be at risk for developing a serious infection during treatment with Jakafi. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any of the following symptoms of infection: chills, nausea, vomiting, aches, weakness, fever, painful skin rash or blisters.
Cancer: Some people have had certain types of non-melanoma skin cancers during treatment with Jakafi. Your healthcare provider will regularly check your skin during your treatment with Jakafi. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any new or changing skin lesions during treatment with Jakafi.
Increases in cholesterol: You may have changes in your blood cholesterol levels during treatment with Jakafi. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your cholesterol levels about every 8 to 12 weeks after you start taking Jakafi, and as needed.
Increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke or death in people who have cardiovascular risk factors and who are current or past smokers while using another JAK inhibitor to treat rheumatoid arthritis: Get emergency help right away if you have any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke while taking Jakafi, including: discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back, severe tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw, pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach, shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or vomiting, feeling lightheaded, weakness in one part or on one side of your body, slurred speech.
Increased risk of blood clots: Blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE) have happened in people taking another JAK inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis and may be life-threatening. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs and symptoms of blood clots during treatment with Jakafi, including: swelling, pain, or tenderness in one or both legs, sudden, unexplained chest or upper back pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Possible increased risk of new (secondary) cancers: People who take another JAK inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of new (secondary) cancers, including lymphoma and other cancers. People who smoke or who smoked in the past have an added risk of new cancers.
The most common side effects of Jakafi include: for certain types of myelofibrosis (MF) and polycythemia vera (PV) – low platelet or red blood cell counts, bruising, dizziness, headache, and diarrhea; for acute GVHD – low platelet counts, low red or white blood cell counts, infections, and swelling; and for chronic GVHD – low red blood cell or platelet counts and infections including viral infections.
These are not all the possible side effects of Jakafi. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more information. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Before taking Jakafi, tell your healthcare provider about: all the medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking and all your medical conditions, including if you have an infection, have or had low white or red blood cell counts, have or had tuberculosis (TB) or have been in close contact with someone who has TB, had shingles (herpes zoster), have or had hepatitis B, have or had liver or kidney problems, are on dialysis, have high cholesterol or triglycerides, had cancer, are a current or past smoker, had a blood clot, heart attack, other heart problems or stroke, or have any other medical condition. Take Jakafi exactly as your healthcare provider tells you. Do not change your dose or stop taking Jakafi without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Women should not take Jakafi while pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Do not breastfeed during treatment with Jakafi and for 2 weeks after the final dose.
Please see the Full Prescribing Information, which includes a more complete discussion of the risks associated with Jakafi.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
You may also report side effects to Incyte Medical Information at 1-855-463-3463.
Thank you for visiting.
You are now leaving the Jakafi.com website. This link will take you to a site that is not owned or maintained by Incyte Corporation, and Incyte is not responsible for the information contained on third-party sites.
