Bawlf woman denied life-saving drug for rare lung disease

Cindy Charpentier of Bawlf is currently struggling with IPF, a rare, progressive and fatal lung disease that has very few treatment options. In October of 2012 a new drug was approved by Health Canada, but she cannot access it because the cost of the drug is not covered under Alberta’s health plan.
Cindy Charpentier of Bawlf is currently struggling with IPF, a rare, progressive and fatal lung disease that has very few treatment options. In October of 2012 a new drug was approved by Health Canada, but she cannot access it because the cost of the drug is not covered under Alberta’s health plan.

Cindy Charpentier of Bawlf has always been a fighter; she says that started from birth when medical staff tried to keep her mother from giving birth to her until the doctor arrived, and she fought her way out anyway.

Charpentier, now 55, has a different fight on her hands now, she is dealing with a rare and fatal condition called Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, or IPF.