September 8, 2016

Patient Access Network Foundation and the Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation announce new alliance to provide support for people living with myelodysplastic syndromes

For immediate release

PAN Foundation contact:

Margaret Figley, Director of Communications

Washington, DC, (September 8, 2016) – The Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation and the Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation (AAMDSIF) today announced they are launching a new alliance to offer a broad spectrum of support for people living with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Working together, the PAN Foundation and AAMDSIF will ensure that people living with MDS have access to personalized support, educational resources and financial services, providing them with the holistic support they need to best manage their disease.

“At PAN, our goal is to alleviate some of the financial pressures faced by patients dealing with illnesses like myelodysplastic syndromes,” said PAN President and CEO Dan Klein. “In partnering with AAMDSIF, we can provide patients and their families with expanded services including educational programs and materials, peer support networks and more.”

The exact number of people living with MDS in the United States is unknown, but studies suggest that 12,000 to 15,000 cases are diagnosed annually. An estimated 50,000 to 75,000 people currently live with MDS.

“Our partnership with PAN is a valuable collaboration that will deliver real benefits to the community we serve,” said AAMDSIF CEO Kathleen Weis. “We know how difficult it can be for patients and families to manage daily life with a rare chronic disease like MDS. This alliance will enable them to more easily access some relief from the heavy financial burden that accompanies the diagnosis and treatment of a life-altering disease.”

Patients who qualify for the PAN Foundation’s MDS program are eligible to receive up to $12,000 per year in financial assistance. Eligible patients must be getting treatment for MDS; must reside and receive treatment in the United States; must have health insurance; and the medication for which they seek assistance must be covered by their health insurance and must treat the disease directly. In addition, patients must fall at or below 500 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.

Patients, or advocates and caregivers applying on their behalf, can apply for assistance using the PAN Foundation’s online patient portal (www.panapply.org), or by calling 1-866-316-7263, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. To learn more about PAN’s more than 50 disease-specific programs, visit panfoundation.org.

About the PAN Foundation:

The PAN Foundation is an independent, nationwide 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing help and hope to underinsured patients who are unable to afford the out-of-pocket expenses for their prescribed medications. Since 2004, PAN has provided nearly $2.4 billion in financial assistance to more than 605,000 patients who would otherwise be unable to afford their medications. To learn more, visit www.panfoundation.org.

About AAMDS:

The Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation is the world’s leading nonprofit health organization dedicated to supporting patients and families living with aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and related bone marrow failure diseases. To learn more, visit www.aamds.org.