SrA Emily Hardisty's death could have been prevented.

email advocacy

SrA Hardisty shares her story before her untimely death.

[Your Elected Official]

I am writing to your office on as I believe no indivudual, let alone a member of our Armed Forces, should go through this pain and or experience such a low level of holistic healthcare.  As a voting member of your district, I ask you please look into the mismanagement and preventable death of Air Force Senior Airman, Emily Hardisty, who died on July 21st, 2023 at 25-years old from ovarian cancer.
On February 9, 2021, SrA Emily Hardisty reported to the 354th Medical Group Clinic on Eielson Air Force Base. The medical doctor overseeing her care conducted a simple urine analysis during the appointment. He cleared her and said she was “good to go.”
Her medical records found that the urine analysis did contain mature cancer cells that she wasn’t notified about, or followed for.
Days later, Emily reported to sick call. She couldn’t breathe and was in significant pain. Medical providers told her she had CoV despite testing negative. Later that day, a fellow service member brought Emily to the Emergency Department for shortness of breath. The provider noticed a mass growing on the side of her neck, diagnosed as “acute tonsillitis.” She was given IV fluids and antibiotics, then released.
July 2021, despite her condition worsening and frequent trips to sick calls, a senior enlisted member of her unit required she take a physical fitness test. She failed every event and concluded the test by vomiting large amounts of bile and blood.
By mid-July, five months after her symptoms started, she was sent to Bassett Army Hospital in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, for a CT scan. Hours later, Emily was told she had a 10-lb. tumor growing off her left ovary. Days later, surgery confirmed end stage (stage 4) ovarian cancer that spread throughout her body.
After chemotherapy and radiation, her cancer returned and engulfed her body. After speaking up and reaching millions on TikTok, she was placed in custody, read her rights, and fingerprinted. She was on the brink of being dishonorably discharged.
Her tumors came back, and she was given months to live. The mental stress and lack of support from her command and the Air Force led Emily to seek inpatient psychiatric care… unfortunately due to the failed system, lack of medical adequacy, and just a poor example of healthcare, Emily passed away on July 21st, at 25 years old.
We must do better by our service members and veterans and I would greatly appreciate your support in looking into this matter.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your City & State]

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Summary

Preventable cancer deaths. This is what we mean. On February 9, 2021, SrA Emily Hardisty reported to the 354th Medical Group Clinic on Eielson Air Force Base. The medical doctor overseeing her care conducted a simple urine analysis during the appointment. He cleared her and said she was “good to go.” Her medical records found that the urine analysis did contain mature cancer cells that she wasn’t notified about or followed for. Her tumors came back, and she was given months to live. The mental stress and lack of support from her command and the Air Force led Emily to seek inpatient psychiatric care… unfortunately due to the failed system, lack of medical adequacy, and a poor example of healthcare, Emily passed away on July 21st, at 25 years old. We ask that you reach out to your elected officials and request they look into what happened to Emily, and how this can be prevented from ever happening again.

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