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., Aug. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Beginning today, 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 LIVESTRONG Foundation 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 $60,000.00 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 9 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 that receive Proton Beam 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. EST to assist patients through the grant application process.

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in the U.S., affecting 1 in 6 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 moustache for 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.  

About the Radiation Co-Payment Small Grant Financial Aid Fund
Supporting patients with a prostate cancer diagnosis, this financial fund grants $1,000 per year to cover patient's co-payments associated with prescribed radiation therapy during treatment. Each patient must meet income guidelines and provide treatment documentation in order to finalize the application process. Grants are provided on first-come, first serve basis and will be distributed until funds are depleted. Patients who are interested in applying for financial assistance should start by calling this division toll free at (855) 824-7941.

About Patient Advocate Foundation
PAF is a national nonprofit organization, established in 1996, that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation ensuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of financial stability relative to their diagnosis of chronic, life threatening or debilitating disease. Patient Advocate Foundation has been consistently rated as a 4-star "exceptional" charity by Charity Navigator, the foremost independent evaluator of charities in the United States. For more information about Patient Advocate Foundation, please visit www.patientadvocate.org.

About Movember
Movember aims to forever change the face of men's health through the power of the moustache, by raising vital awareness and funds for men's health issues to combat prostate and testicular cancer and mental health challenges. Movember programs are focused on awareness and education, living with and beyond cancer, and research to achieve our vision of an everlasting impact on the face of men's health. Since 2003, 3 million participants have raised over $444MM for the cause, funding 550 programs globally, with official Movember campaigns taking place in 21 countries. Movember is fully accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and for the past two years, has been named a Top 100 NGO by The Global Journal. For more information please visit www.movember.com. Movember is a registered 501(c)(3) charity.

About the LIVESTRONG Foundation
The LIVESTRONG Foundation fights to improve the lives of people affected by cancer now.  Created in 1997, the Foundation is known for leading an ongoing dialogue with patients and survivors, providing free cancer support services and advocating for policies that improve access to care and quality of life. Known for its powerful brand – LIVESTRONG – the Foundation has become a symbol of hope and inspiration around the world. Since its inception, the Foundation has served 2.5 million people affected by the disease and raised more than $500 million to support cancer survivors. One of America's top non-profit organizations, the Foundation enjoys a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and has been recognized by the National Health Council and the Better Business Bureau for its excellent governance, high standards and transparency. For more information, visit LIVESTRONG.org.

SOURCE Patient Advocate Foundation