PAN and Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation announce new alliance to provide support for people living with multiple myeloma
For immediate release
PAN Foundation contact:
Margaret Figley, Director of Communications
Phone: 202-661-8074
E-mail: mfigley@panfoundation.org
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation contact:
Sharon Saias, Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Phone: 203-652-0211
E-mail: saiass@themmrf.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 19, 2016) – The Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) today announced that they are launching a new alliance to provide holistic support for people living with multiple myeloma. The alliance will enable the organizations to leverage the PAN Foundation’s multiple myeloma financial assistance program and MMRF’s patient support programs and resources to ensure patients have access to the full range of resources they need to best manage their disease.
“Teaming up with the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation will allow us to connect patients to a supportive community and resources that will help them better understand their disease and adhere to their treatment regimens,” said PAN Foundation President and CEO Dan Klein. “The PAN Foundation is committed to helping patients who are underinsured access the critical treatments they need to improve their health and quality of life, and that goes beyond assisting with their deductibles and co-pays.”
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cell. It is the second most common blood cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2015 an estimated 26,850 adults in the United States were diagnosed with multiple myeloma and an estimated 11,240 people were predicted to die from the disease. The five-year survival rate for multiple myeloma is approximately 47 percent, versus 31 percent in 1999.
“While multiple myeloma is incurable, it is very much treatable, but many people do not know where to turn for support when they receive their diagnosis,” said MMRF Vice President of Marketing and Communications Sharon Saias. “We are thrilled to align with PAN to empower people living with multiple myeloma by providing them with vital research, education programs, and support.”
Patients who qualify for the PAN Foundation’s multiple myeloma program are eligible to receive up to $12,500 per year in financial assistance. Eligible patients must reside and receive treatment in the United States, and the medication for which they seek assistance must be covered by their insurance and 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-PANF (7263), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard 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 over $1 billion in financial assistance to more than half a million patients who would otherwise be unable to afford their medications. To learn more, visit www.panfoundation.org.
About Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation:
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) was established in 1998 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by twin sisters Karen Andrews and Kathy Giusti, soon after Kathy’s diagnosis with multiple myeloma. The mission of the MMRF is to relentlessly pursue innovative means that accelerate the development of next-generation multiple myeloma treatments to extend the lives of patients and lead to a cure. As the world’s number-one private funder of multiple myeloma research, the MMRF has raised more than $300 million since its inception and directs nearly 90% of its total budget to research and related programming. As a result, the MMRF has been awarded Charity Navigator’s coveted four-star rating for 11 consecutive years, the highest designation for outstanding fiscal responsibility and exceptional efficiency. To learn more, visit www.themmrf.org.