Patient Advocate Foundation Launches Financial Assistance Program for Patients Battling Prostate Cancer

-- LIVESTRONG Foundation and Movember Grant Funding to Help Cover Expenses

Associated with Radiation Therapy --

Hampton, VA.  As of August 15th, prostate cancer patients now have access to financial support in the form of $1,000 grants that contribute towards the co-pay expenses associated with prescribed radiation therapy during treatment. Nationally recognized case management organization Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) has partnered with Movember and the LIVESTRONGFoundation to launch the Radiation Co-Payment Small Grant Financial Aid Fund, ensuring prostate cancer patients across the nation have access to monetary support that can bring needed relief to their budget.

Eligible men include those who have been diagnosed and are in active radiation treatment for prostate cancer with an annual income of $60,000 or less. Qualified patients may use the one-time grant of $1,000 to cover their out-of-pocket expenses associated with radiation therapy, helping to reduce the financial burden associated with treatment. On average, Medicare patients receiving up to nine weeks of radiation treatments have an out-of-pocket responsibility ranging from $1,054 to over $3,300, depending on the specific radiation treatment prescribed.   Patients who receive proton beam therapy radiation treatments can see almost double that amount in out-of-pocket costs allowed within their 20% copayment.

Patient Advocate Foundation’s professional staff is available to assist applicants and distribute funds through the toll-free financial assistance line at (855) 824-7941.  Live financial counselors are available Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Eastern time to assist patients through the grant application process.

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in the U.S., affecting one in six men. One new case occurs every 2.2 minutes and a man dies from prostate cancer every 17.5 minutes.

Movember and the LIVESTRONG Foundation have provided generous support to Patient Advocate Foundation to launch this financial aid program, allowing men and their families greater monetary support while involved in treatment and recovery.

Movember is the global men’s health charity that encourages men across the world to sprout a mustache during the month of November to raise vital awareness and funds for men's health issues to combat prostate and testicular cancer and mental health challenges.

"Movember is honored to partner with PAF and the LIVESTRONG Foundation to assist men undergoing prostate cancer treatment, “said Mark Hedstrom, Director of Movember U.S. “This financial aid will provide men and their families monetary support while undergoing treatment and throughout the recovery process.”

“The LIVESTRONG Foundation is grateful to partner with the Patient Advocate Foundation and Movember on this program to reduce the financial burden on men facing prostate cancer,” said Doug Ulman, Foundation President and CEO.  “We believe access to affordable, timely and quality health care is a human right and want to do our part to make this possible for anyone affected by cancer.”

PAF, one of the nation’s leading nonprofit patient assistance programs, will direct the contribution toward helping males in treatment for prostate cancer, regardless of insurance status.

“For years PAF has identified the barrier to treatment that is created by the direct expense associated with potentially life- saving radiation therapies. As a result of this gift from Movember and the LIVESTRONG Foundation, we can now provide relief for those who need it most,” said Beth Patterson, President, Mission Delivery for PAF.