Jeff Bolle, a beloved Wisconsin high school football and baseball coach, lost his battle with stage 4 cancer in December after the chemotherapy drug he needed became unavailable due to a nationwide shortage. Initially thinking he had tweaked his back, Bolle was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in October. Doctors removed most of the cancerous tumor and Bolle began chemotherapy in hopes of elongating his life.
Despite his dedication to coaching, the shortage of the vital chemotherapy drug cisplatin forced Bolle to stop his treatment, only two rounds short of completion. The cancer continued to grow, and Bolle’s health began deteriorating rapidly. He eventually had to quit his job as a school counselor due to his illness, but continued coaching football, attending games and mentoring his players even while battling cancer.
Bolle’s commitment to his players extended to his love for coaching, and he continued attending games despite his declining health. His wife, Connie Bolle, recalls that even in his final days, he was rating game films on his laptop from the intensive care unit. Bolle’s dedication to his players was evident as he attended every game, even when he could barely stand, leading his team to a division one state championship victory.
Connie Bolle believes that her husband’s commitment to his players contributed to lengthening his life, as he continued coaching through the season despite his failing health. Jeff Bolle passed away after seven months without the life-saving drug treatment he needed. His care for others was evident even in hospice care, where he remained concerned about patients experiencing similar struggles accessing chemotherapy drugs.
The shortage of chemotherapy drugs in the United States has impacted thousands of cancer patients, including Bolle. Four chemotherapy drugs, including cisplatin and carboplatin, have been on the FDA drug shortage list since Bolle’s death. The shortage of these drugs has affected cancer centers across the country, with a survey indicating that 72% reported a shortage of carboplatin and 59% still seeing a shortage of cisplatin.
The FDA is aware of the impact of the shortage of chemotherapy drugs on healthcare providers and patients and is working with manufacturers and others in the supply chain to mitigate the impact. Currently, there are 15 oncology agents in shortage, affecting patients with incurable cancers the most. The continued shortage of these essential drugs highlights the challenges faced by cancer patients in accessing life-saving treatments.
