WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month and, today, the MPN Coalition, a group of seven patient advocacy organizations, recognizes MPN Awareness Day. MPN Awareness Day, September 10, 2015, is a time when patients, physicians, caregivers and advocates join together to honor the estimated 300,000 individuals living in the U.S. with a group of rare blood cancers known as myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs).
MPNs are a closely related group of progressive blood cancers that can strike anyone at any age. MPNs occur when the bone marrow cells that produce the body's blood cells develop and function abnormally. The three main MPNs are myelofibrosis (MF), polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET). Of these three MPNs, PV is the most prevalent.
“Connecting with other families impacted by these rare cancers is empowering and reminds me that we are all in this fight together,” said Kathy Vogt, 2014 MPN Hero Award Recipient and wife of patient Gary Vogt. “Patients managing MPNs are the real heroes and as a community we need to support any efforts for greater education, understanding and awareness. MPN Awareness Day offers us a time to come together to learn and to connect with others impacted by MPNs.”
During MPN Awareness Day and throughout the month of September, MPN patients, physicians and caregivers are encouraged to use their voice and share their stories to raise awareness for these rare blood cancers. Individuals are encouraged to pledge their support by sharing an MPN Awareness badge with their friends and family on Facebook and Pinterest. Additionally, the updated “Raise Your Voice” toolkit provides the MPN community with new resources for sharing this message across social media channels and in their everyday lives. These and other resources are available on www.voicesofmpn.com.
”We are honored to join the MPN Coalition in recognizing this community of patients and their families during a month of MPN disease awareness and education,” said Hervé Hoppenot, President and Chief Executive Officer, Incyte. “Raising awareness for MPNs is imperative to encourage support and strengthen the community around these rare blood cancers and help patients and their caregivers more easily access the resources they need to manage life with these debilitating diseases.”
September also provides an opportunity to honor patients, doctors, caregivers, advocates and organizations that contribute to bringing understanding, compassion and strength to those living with MPNs through the MPN Heroes Recognition Program. The MPN Heroes program, sponsored by Incyte in collaboration with CURE Media Group, publishers of CURE magazine, is accepting nominations for the 2015 MPN Heroes program through the end of day today, September 10, 2015, via www.mpnheroes.com.
Important MPN Awareness Resources and Programs Available Throughout the Month Include:
- “Raise Your Voice” on MPN Awareness Day: MPN patients and caregivers can learn more about how they can spread awareness on Thursday, September 10th by downloading the “Raise Your Voice” toolkit on www.voicesofmpn.com – which includes a guide and helpful tips on how to spread awareness through social media.
- Sharing Sundays: Every Sunday in September, MPN patients and caregivers can join others at http://www.voicesofmpn.com/wall-of-voices in sharing a photo and short message on the Wall of Voices to show support for the MPN community.
- “Ask an MPN Expert” on Facebook Fridays: On Friday, September 18 and Friday, September 25, from 12 PM to 4 PM Eastern, Incyte will be hosting an “Ask an MPN Expert” private live web chat for patients and caregivers. An MPN nurse will be on hand to answer questions about MPNs on Facebook. To participate in the chat, access the “Voices of MPN” Facebook page via a desktop computer or laptop.
Stay connected and informed with all of the MPN awareness activities happening throughout September by “Liking” the “Voices of MPN” Facebook page or following “Voices of MPN” on Pinterest.
About Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs)
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a closely related group of blood cancers in which the bone marrow cells that produce the body's blood cells develop and function abnormally.1 The three main myeloproliferative neoplasms are myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia.1 MPNs are progressive blood cancers that can strike anyone at any age. Estimates of the prevalence of MPNs vary, but analysis of claims data suggests there may be as many as 300,000 people in the U.S. living with MPNs.2
About Incyte
Incyte Corporation is a Wilmington, Delaware-based biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics, primarily for oncology. For additional information, please visit www.incyte.com.
References
1. “Learning About MPNs - PV, ET, PMF” MPN Research Foundation, http://www.mpnresearchfoundation.org/overview-page
2. “Prevalence,” MPN Research Foundation, http://www.mpnresearchfoundation.org/prevalence
@ 2015, Incyte Corporation. All rights reserved. INC-1127 09/15
