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To the editor:
"They didn't give me the right to try experimental treatments, Mr. President. You did and without you, I'd have died waiting for them to be approved," said Natalie Harp on Monday night at the Republican National Convention. Harp had been diagnosed with terminal bone cancer, and we should all be happy that Natalie is here to share her story. She's right in saying that President Donald Trump signing the "Right-to-Try Act" is a major reason she is alive today, but many other Americans played a significant role.
In Congress, 228 Republicans voted in support of the bill along with 22 Democrats. Unfortunately, 169 Democrats voted against the bill. In 2018, I organized and trained people in our community and across the country to make Congressional office visits, call members of Congress, write letters and so much more to push this life-saving bill through Congress -- so President Trump could have the chance to sign it. It's amazing to think that people from right here in Jefferson, Belmont and Monroe counties helped save the life of Natalie Harp, a woman they never met but a woman who surely means so much to those who love her, and there are countless stories across our country of men, women and children alive today because of the "Right-to-Try Act."
Jordan McLinn was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a fatal muscle-weakening disorder, at just 3 years of age, and he's alive today because of the right to try. Jordan and his mother, Laura, were alongside Trump when the "Right to Try Act" was signed into law, and Jordan's name is even in the bill.
These stories are but a few of the many that the right to try will save. I'm honored to have worked with so many great Americans to get this incredible law passed. There is so much good that can be done when politicians put politics aside for the American people. My motto always has been exactly that -- "People Over Politics." My name is Ron Ferguson, and I'd be grateful for your vote for state representative.
Ron Ferguson
Wintersville