News 12 intervention helps Ellenville teen win fight for lifesaving stem cell transplant
Eighteen-year-old Isabella Neville was diagnosed last October and has endured months of chemotherapy and radiation while completing her senior year.
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An Ellenville High School graduate battling a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer has won her fight to get a potentially lifesaving stem cell transplant — after News 12 intervened.
Eighteen-year-old Isabella Neville was diagnosed last October and has endured months of chemotherapy and radiation while completing her senior year.
Doctors recommended an autologous stem cell transplant, a procedure where her own stem cells are collected, stored and then returned to her body to help rebuild healthy cells after intensive cancer treatment. MVP Health Care covered the stem cell retrieval, but denied the transplant itself three times.
Her mother, Michelle Neville, says each denial was crushing.
“They basically said there’s nothing left they can do and their hands are tied,” she told News 12.
This week, that changed when News 12 started making calls to MVP Health Care about the denials and Isabella’s coverage. Soon after, the insurer called the family to say the procedure had been approved.
MVP told News 12 it cannot comment on individual cases due to privacy laws, but said it is actively working with the family to coordinate care.
Isabella still has a few chemotherapy treatments left, but says she’s already seeing encouraging results in her fight against the disease. Her stem cell transplant is now expected to take place in mid-September.
She says she hopes to attend SUNY Orange in the spring semester and eventually become a pediatric nurse to help other children in similar situations.
“I’m looking forward to what’s next,” Isabella said. “This is not my end.”
Her family hopes their story will inspire others to keep fighting for the care they need. “I wasn’t giving up,” Michelle said. “I was going to do whatever I needed to do as a mother.”
