New partnership with The Sumaira Foundation

The PAN Foundation and The Sumaira Foundation today announced they are launching a new partnership to help people living with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), providing up to $9,600 per year in financial assistance and support services for patients and their caregivers or loved ones. 

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, also known as Devic’s disease and neuromyelitis optica, is a rare and recurring autoimmune disease where an individual’s immune system attacks its own cells in the central nervous system, mainly in the optic nerves and spinal cord, and sometimes in the brain as well. 
 
The National Organization for Rare Disorders estimates that between one and 10 of every 100,000 people are living with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder worldwide.   

“PAN’s mission is to ease the burden of out-of-pocket costs and support each patient holistically, and we are grateful for the support of our alliance partners and the services they provide,” said PAN President and CEO Kevin L. Hagan. “The expertise and resources provided by The Sumaira Foundation will be a great benefit to those living with NMOSD.” 

The Sumaira Foundation (TSF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising global awareness of NMOSD and MOG antibody disease, building communities of support for patients and their caregivers, leading patient advocacy efforts, and fundraising to support breakthroughs in research. TSF has more than 40 patient ambassadors around the globe and is currently active in the North America, Europe, and Asia. They provide a variety of resources, including podcasts, support groups, webinars, educational materials, clinical trial information, and more.  

“As someone who is living with NMOSD, I understand the struggle many patients face to afford treatment,” said TSF Founder and Executive Director Sumaira Ahmed. “The key to managing NMOSD is to start and stay on a treatment plan to prevent relapses, and we are thrilled to partner with PAN to help people around the U.S. afford their treatment, as well as access the support services and community they need and deserve along the way.”  

Patients who qualify for the PAN Foundation Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Fund are eligible to receive $9,600 per year in financial assistance.

Eligibility requirements 
To get financial assistance for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, patients must:   

• Be getting treatment for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. 
• Have Medicare health insurance that covers the qualifying medication or product.  
• Have an income that falls at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level.  

About the PAN Foundation 
The PAN Foundation is an independent, national 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to helping federally and commercially insured people living with life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases with the out-of-pocket costs for their prescribed medications.  

Since 2004, we have provided more than 1 million underinsured patients with $4 billion in financial assistance. Partnering with generous donors, healthcare providers, and pharmacies, we provide the underinsured population access to the healthcare treatments they need to best manage their conditions and focus on improving their quality of life. Learn more at panfoundation.org.  

About The Sumaira Foundation 
The Sumaira Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to generating global awareness of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOG-AD), supporting research to find a cure, and creating a community of support for patients and their caregivers. Learn more at www.sumairafoundation.org