FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Financial Assistance from The Assistance Fund Now Available for Eligible Individuals with Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome
ORLANDO, Fla., January 28, 2019 —The Assistance Fund, an independent charitable patient assistance foundation that helps patients and families facing high medical out-of-pocket costs, today announced the launch of a new financial assistance program for individuals living with Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, often referred to as LEMS. The program is designed to help eligible individuals living with LEMS pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses resulting from the disorder.
LEMS is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system creates antibodies that inhibit the communication of nerve cells and muscle cells at the neuromuscular junction.1,2 This leads to a gradual onset of muscle weakness and fatigue, especially in the pelvic and thigh region. Symptom onset can occur over a couple of weeks to months.2 Currently, there is no cure for LEMS, but treatment options are available and vary based on an individual’s age, general health and whether or not cancer is associated with the disorder.1
“LEMS has a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life and can make actions such as walking up stairs a challenge,” said Mark P. McGreevy, President and CEO, The Assistance Fund. “For those living with this disorder and associated underlying conditions, we recognize the importance of accessing proper medical care and treatment.”
To learn more or determine eligibility for financial support, individuals should visit tafcares.org or call (855) 266-4374 to speak with a patient advocate.
A list of all the programs available at The Assistance Fund can be found on the website tafcares.org.
About The Assistance Fund
The Assistance Fund is an independent charitable patient assistance foundation that helps patients and families facing high medical out-of-pocket costs by providing financial assistance for their copayments, coinsurance, deductibles and other health-related expenses. The Assistance Fund currently manages more than 50 programs – each of which covers the FDA-approved medications that treat a specific disease. Since its founding in 2009, The Assistance Fund has helped more than 78,000 adults and children access the medicines they need to stay healthy or manage a chronic condition. To learn more about The Assistance Fund, or for information on how to donate, please visit tafcares.org.
Media Contact
Margaret Figley
Director of Communications
margaret.figley@tafcares.org
References
1. “Lambert Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome.” National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. Retrieved from: https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6851/lambert-eaton-myasthenic-syndrome.
2. “Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome.” National Organization for Rare Disorders. Retrieved from: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/lambert-eaton-myasthenic-syndrome/.