Personalized medicine is about more than formulas and chemicals — it’s about restoring quality of life. And sometimes, it’s the difference between suffering in silence and getting a second chance.

Few stories illustrate this better than that of Michael Strouse, a firefighter who nearly lost his vision due to chemical exposure, and the compounding pharmacist who refused to give up on him: Robyn Crow, RPh. Michael's journey is one of recovery, but it's also about the fight for access to life-changing treatments — and advocacy's critical role in ensuring no patient is left without options.

A Life-Altering Incident

One moment, Michael Strouse was just another firefighter running through a routine training drill. The next, his world went dark.

In 2015, while training at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, a toxic chemical made contact with his eyes. His vision blurred instantly. His eyes burned. The guys on his crew, his brothers, did what they could, dumping water and even Gatorade into his eyes — anything to flush out the chemical. But the damage was already done.

What followed was six years of pure hell. The pain was relentless — like sandpaper scraping against his eyes, 24/7. Light became intolerable. Driving? Impossible. His eyes were so inflamed that even keeping them open felt like torture. Despite seeing multiple ophthalmologists and trying every over-the-counter and prescription drop available, nothing worked. And the worst part? No one had any answers.

Doctors prescribed everything they could think of — artificial tears, steroid drops, anti-inflammatory medications — but nothing gave him relief. Sleep was nearly impossible, too. He’d nod off for an hour or two before waking up in agony. His eyes were constantly bloodshot, and the burning sensation never faded. Simple things like stepping outside or looking at a screen became unbearable. He was trapped.

Eventually, the pain cost him everything — his job, his ability to be present for his kids, his sense of independence. In 2016, he was medically retired from the fire department. And with no financial support coming in for nearly a year, his family had to rely on his firefighter union and friends, who stepped up with food, fundraisers, and whatever help they could provide. But hope was slipping away.

The Search for a Solution

Michael had all but given up when his ophthalmologist recommended a compounding pharmacist two hours away in Ohio: Robyn Crow. She specialized in autologous serum eye drops, a unique treatment made from a patient’s own blood. It wasn’t mainstream, but for people like Michael, who had exhausted every conventional option, it was worth a shot.

The first attempt didn’t go well. Because of his chemical exposure, his blood serum was unstable. The drops burned. More pain, more disappointment. But Robyn didn’t walk away — she knew there had to be another way.

For years, she stayed in contact with Michael, checking in and brainstorming ideas. She consulted experts, researched alternatives, and explored unconventional solutions. Then, in 2017, Michael called her again — desperate. He needed something, anything, to make the pain stop. That’s when Robyn pitched a radical idea: using donor blood instead of his own.

A Breakthrough in Treatment

Robyn got to work. She collaborated with PCCA’s Clinical Services team, consulted with Michael’s doctor, and devised a protocol to create allogeneic serum eye drops — this time, using donor blood from a close family member. The first donor was his father.

Michael remembers that first drop like it was yesterday. He braced for the burn, but there was none. No stinging. No fire. Just pure, cool relief. For the first time in years, he felt hope.

Over the following months, something incredible happened. His pain, which had been a constant 9 or 10 on the pain scale, dropped to a 1. The redness faded. His vision, which had been deteriorating for years, actually started to improve. By 2022, his eyesight had gone from 20/60 to a perfect 20/20. He could drive again. He could pick up his kids without sunglasses covering his swollen eyes. He could finally live again.

Not only could he see, he could reclaim his independence. He could go outside without fear. He could read a book. He could drive at night, something he thought he’d never do again. For Michael, this was a second chance at life.

The Fight for Patient Access

Michael’s story is a testament to the impact of compounding pharmacists — the unsung heroes who create solutions when no one else can. But that life-changing power is endangered, and access to personalized medicine isn’t guaranteed. Without advocacy, without awareness, without laws protecting compounding, patients like Michael could be left without options.

That’s why, in 2023, Michael and Robyn took their story straight to Capitol Hill, joining PCCA’s ACT Legislative Conference. They met face-to-face with lawmakers — not only as pharmacist and patient, but as living proof of why compounding matters. Without it, Michael would still be suffering, and countless others would be left in the dark.

The impact was immediate. Legislators listened. They asked questions. They took notes. And most importantly, they understood. Because it’s one thing to hear about compounding from industry professionals — it’s another to see the person whose life was saved by it.

This kind of advocacy is critical. It’s what keeps compounded medications available for patients who need them. It’s what ensures that pharmacists like Robyn have the ability to create life-changing treatments. And it’s what protects patients from losing access to the medications that could save them. Michael’s journey proves compounding is a lifeline, and the fight to protect patient access isn’t over.

Be Part of the Movement

This May, PCCA is heading back to Washington, D.C., for the 13th annual ACT Legislative Conference, and you can be part of it. Pharmacists, healthcare providers, patients –— our voices and our stories matter.

Join us by registering for the conference here.