Viewers Help Replace Cancer Patient's Medicine

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Generous viewers are pouring out support for Rubye and Lloyd Samilton.

Rubye Samilton, who is battling terminal lung cancer, heavily depends on her medication, Tarceva.

The medicine not only helps slow the growth of Rubye Samilton's cancer, but it gave the mother, wife and grandmother a second hope for life.

She was living in Texas until last week when she decided to move home to Oklahoma to spend her last days with close friends and family.

On the way back, the couple stopped in San Antonio to rest. Thieves stole the Samilton's U-Haul truck from their hotel's parking lot and made off with all of their belongings inside, including Rubye's Tarceva.

More on News9.com: Cancer Patient's Medicine Stolen from Truck

The medication costs $4,000 for a month's supply and Samilton had to save in order to purchase the supply.

"For me to just to be able to gather enough money to buy one month's supply and then a half month supply was a miracle," Samilton said. "Then they took my miracle away from me. It's like they just murdered me."

The loss of the medication was devastating, until NEWS 9 viewers decided to help the woman.

Since the story aired last Friday, the Samiltons have been overwhelmed by calls of support.

One viewer, who wishes to remain anonymous, gave NEWS 9 $4,000 to pass along to Samilton.

Whoever you are, whoever you are, God will bless you because you are a wonderful, wonderful person," Samilton said. "You don't even know me, and for you to give me this, it's just unbelievable."

The money will cover a 30-day supply of Tarceva for Rubye Samilton.

"This angel has restored my faith in people, and has given me back my hope for life," she said.

Meanwhile, police in San Antonio have recovered the stolen U-Haul, but the contents of the truck had already been taken. The insurance the Samiltons had from U-Haul did not cover theft.

Monetary donations* can be sent to the following address:

• NEWS 9
Attn: Colleen Chen
7401 N Kelley Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK

*Please make all checks out to Rubye Samilton.
All proceeds will be gathered and sent directly to Rubye Samilton.