HealthWell Foundation® Opens Growth Hormone Deficiency Fund

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Feb. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The HealthWell Foundation, an independent non-profit providing nationwide financial assistance to insured Americans with high out-of-pocket medication expenses, today announced the launch of a new fund to assist children and adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). The fund will provide copayment assistance to eligible GHD patients to ease the burden of treatment costs.

GHD is a disorder in which the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, produces insufficient amounts of growth hormone, decreasing growth and cell production. Children with GHD are likely to grow slowly and be significantly shorter than other children of the same age and gender. In healthy adults, growth hormone helps maintain proper amounts of muscle, bone, and body fat. Low or absent growth hormone can cause poor memory and symptoms such as tiredness and lack of motivation.

"HealthWell's new Growth Hormone Deficiency Fund fills a vital need for patients and their families because GHD is a disorder that can carry stigma," commented Krista Zodet, HealthWell Foundation President. "Quite often, the collective challenges these patients and their families face are staggering, so we are extremely pleased to now be able to provide financial assistance to those who qualify. In addition to the physical implications of this disorder, patients - especially children - affected by GHD often experience emotional distress including anxiety and depression, and treatment can be life-long. HealthWell's fund helps patients overcome financial hurdles so that they can focus on managing their condition and its consequences."

Diyolis, mother of a HealthWell Pediatric Assistance Fund grant recipient, shares her story: "A few months ago, I struggled a lot. My son, Bryan, was born with sickle cell anemia and was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency a few years ago. This year, I couldn't afford to pay for the growth hormones because my medical expenses were high. Thankfully, I found the HealthWell Foundation and have honestly been blessed because they helped my son in this new stage in his life. Thanks to HealthWell, Bryan is receiving his treatments on time."

To determine eligibility and apply for assistance through HealthWell Foundation's Growth Hormone Deficiency Fund, visit the Foundation's website at www.HealthWellFoundation.org.

About Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD)
GHD occurs when the pituitary gland (a small gland located at the base of the brain that produces hormones) does not produce enough growth hormone. GHD can be present at birth or acquired after birth and can occur at any age. Causes of acquired GHD include trauma, radiation to the head, infections, and other diseases. In many cases, diagnosis occurs between the ages of two and three, when signs of delayed growth may show. Growth hormone is essential for normal growth, muscle and bone strength, and distribution of body fat in children. In addition, growth hormone helps control sugar and fat levels in the body. In adults, growth hormone helps maintain proper amounts of muscle, bone, and body fat. GHD occurs in about one in 3,500 children and approximately 50,000 adults in the United States.

About the HealthWell Foundation
The HealthWell Foundation^® is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides financial assistance to help cover the cost of prescription drug coinsurance, copayments and deductibles, and health insurance premiums. Since 2004, HealthWell has assisted more than 173,000 adults and children faced with medical emergencies, including chronic and life-altering illnesses. These patients have insurance, and yet cannot afford their part. For more information, visit www.HealthWellFoundation.org.

CONTACT:   
Ginny Dunn
240-632-5309
[email protected]

SOURCE HealthWell Foundation