Turning passion into purpose

As an artist, Janelle uses her creativity every day. See what motivated her to seek treatment for her SMA.

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Hi. My name is Janelle. I live with SMA Type 2.

I am an artist, a businesswoman, and an equal employment opportunity assistant in Honolulu, Hawaii. I have a boyfriend. His name is Antoine, and we’ve been together for 4 years.

I get up in the morning around five o’clock on the dot, and I just get ready for the workday. I’m an Administrative Assistant, and I do clerical work at an office nearby my home.

When I’m not at work you’ll either find me drawing on my computer, a tablet, reading books, also watching movies or TV shows. They’re important to me because they are things that I can do independently without the assistance of others. It makes it feel as if it’s something that I can call my own and enjoy doing.

I have a full-time job, and I also have a side business where I sell my art.

I love how Evrysdi is an oral medication that I can take at home or wherever I am.

I have SMA, but it doesn’t stop me or my creativity.

I was motivated to seek treatment because, as I got older, I realized that my SMA was progressive, and I didn’t want to lose the ability to create art.

I asked my neurologist if there were other options available to me, and he mentioned Evrysdi as a treatment option.

When I talked with my doctor, I was impressed with the results and the fact that I could take it from home.

My biggest concern was if the treatment would be a good fit for me. What I liked about Evrysdi was that it was a medication that was able to fit my lifestyle.

I chose Evrysdi because it was a non-invasive oral medication that I could take at home. When I started treatment with Evrysdi, I was hoping to maintain the current muscle function that I had.

I have always been able to pick up a book to read, draw independently, and eat and drink. I’m able to brush my teeth independently.

My hands allow me to pick up things, hold onto a pencil or a pen, drive my wheelchair around.

My hand strength is critical in my ability to work and create art. Maintaining that strength is really important to me.

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What is Evrysdi?

Evrysdi is a prescription medicine used to treat spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in children and adults.

Before taking Evrysdi, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, as Evrysdi may harm your unborn baby. Ask your healthcare provider for advice before taking this medicine
- are a woman who can become pregnant:
  - Before you start your treatment with Evrysdi, your healthcare provider may test you for pregnancy
  - Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that may be right for you. Use birth control while on treatment and for at least 1 month after stopping Evrysdi
  - Pregnancy Registry. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take Evrysdi during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of the pregnant woman and her baby. If you are pregnant or become pregnant while receiving Evrysdi, tell your healthcare provider right away. Talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the Evrysdi Pregnancy Registry. Your healthcare provider can enroll you in this registry or you can enroll by calling 1-833-760-1098 or visiting www.evrysdipregnancyregistry.com
- are an adult male. Evrysdi may affect a man’s ability to have children (fertility). Ask a healthcare provider for advice before taking this medicine
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Evrysdi passes into breast milk and may harm your baby
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take
You should receive Evrysdi from the pharmacy as a liquid. If the medicine in the bottle is a powder, do not use it. Contact your pharmacist for a replacement
Avoid getting Evrysdi on your skin or in your eyes. If Evrysdi gets on your skin, wash the area with soap and water. If Evrysdi gets in your eyes, rinse your eyes with water
The most common side effects of Evrysdi include:
- For later-onset SMA:
  - fever
  - diarrhea
  - rash
- For infantile-onset SMA:
  - fever
  - diarrhea
  - rash
  - runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat (upper respiratory infection)
  - lung infection (lower respiratory infection)
  - constipation
  - vomiting
  - cough

These are not all of the possible side effects of Evrysdi. For more information on the risk and benefits profile of Evrysdi, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555.

Please see full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information.

- Información de prescripción de Evrysdi^® (risdiplam). Genentech, Inc.
  
  Información de prescripción de Evrysdi^® (risdiplam). Genentech, Inc.