Patient Advocate Foundation Partners With Breakaway from Cancer, Raising Awareness and Funds for Cancer Patients

PAF Selected as Charitable Partner for National Initiative as Part of 2010 Amgen Tour of California Cycling Competition

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., May 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) – a national non-profit organization that provides professional case management services to tens of thousands of patients every year who are unable to obtain access to care because of financial or insurance denials - is pleased to partner with Breakaway from Cancer, a national fundraising and educational initiative founded by Amgen in 2005 to raise awareness of the important resources available to cancer patients including prevention, education, patient care, advocacy and financial support. 

"Patient Advocate Foundation is honored to partner in the 2010 Breakaway from Cancer initiative as Amgen raises awareness of the many beneficial resources available to cancer patients during what can be an uphill battle," said Nancy Davenport-Ennis, President and CEO of Patient Advocate Foundation. "Seventy-six percent of the patients contacting PAF in 2009 were diagnosed with cancer, so we know first-hand the importance of educating cancer patients about their options. We recognize that it takes more than one person to fight cancer, and we hope that through this team effort, we can help cancer patients cross that finish line!"

Breakaway from Cancer was created by Amgen as a complementary component to the company's sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California, a world-class professional cycling competition now in its fifth year.  In addition to supporting the patient programs and services offered by Patient Advocate Foundation, this year's Breakaway from Cancer will also raise funds to support the Prevent Cancer Foundation, The Cancer Support Community and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. Additional nonprofit partners in the initiative include The Lance Armstrong Foundation, The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing and Stand Up to Cancer.

On Sunday, May 16th, the world's top professional teams will begin their competition in the Amgen Tour of California in Sacramento. After an eight-day, 800-mile race on a route that will include the California redwoods, wine country and the Pacific Coast, they will approach the final stop on May 23rd in Thousand Oaks.  

"A cancer diagnosis can be the most overwhelming experience a person may ever face in his or her lifetime, so it is crucial for patients to know they are not alone in this fight. There are numerous resources and supporters ready to help them through this challenging time," said Davenport-Ennis.  "Breakaway from Cancer demonstrates Amgen's commitment and dedication to helping people affected by cancer, and we at PAF are proud to be a part of this supportive initiative."

To join Patient Advocate Foundation, Prevent Cancer Foundation, The Cancer Support Community and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship in their support of families touched by cancer, please text BREAKAWAY to 90999 to donate $10 to Breakaway from Cancer.*

Patient Advocate Foundation is a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability. PAF is on the frontlines of the healthcare access battle millions of Americans fight every day.  Last year alone, PAF received in excess of 4 million contacts from patients, family members and care professionals requesting access to care information and assistance.  Of those contacts, PAF's professional senior case managers successfully resolved 55,384 cases for patients that required direct, sustained mediation and arbitration services.  For more information about Patient Advocate Foundation, please visit www.patientadvocate.org or call toll free (800) 532-5274. 

* Standard text messaging rates apply. For full terms visit mgive.com/a.

SOURCE Patient Advocate Foundation