ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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 the Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) VII - Sly Syndrome Financial Assistance Program, providing financial support to individuals with this disease. The program offers funds that can be used for copayments, health insurance premiums and incidental medical expenses.
“We at the Assistance Fund are excited to be able to help more individuals who face high medical expenses with our newest program, the MPS VII - Sly Syndrome Assistance Fund,” said Mark P. McGreevy, President, The Assistance Fund. “Patients with this rare condition deserve access to treatments regardless of their ability to pay, and we are dedicated to supporting them in receiving the therapies and procedures that they so desperately need.”
MPS VII, also known as Sly syndrome, is a mucopolysaccharide disease that occurs in an estimated 1 in 250,000 newborns. Caused by a recessive gene, this condition prevents the body from breaking down the mucopolysaccharides heparan sulfate, chondroitin 4-, 6-sulfates and dermatan sulfate due to a lack of an enzyme.1 The disease causes progressive damage, with clinical courses varying greatly. Symptoms can include a slowing of development in the first three years of life, followed by a progressive regression in skills; nose, throat, chest and ear problems that cause breathing difficulties and respiratory infections; atypical physical features; and significant problems in bone formation and growth, among others.2
“Individuals with MPS VII face a lifetime of medical interventions to improve their quality of life and slow the progression of the disease,” said Terri Klein, Interim CEO and Director of Development and Operations at the National MPS Society. “Treatment is vital to help prevent irreversible organ and tissue damage, but the high costs associated with care can make it out of reach for many families. With support from The Assistance Fund, more patients with MPS VII will undergo the treatment regimens that can best preserve their health.”
Individuals interested in learning more or determining their eligibility for assistance should visit tafcares.org or call (855) 514-5111 to speak with a patient advocate.
For a full list of the funds available at The Assistance Fund, visit 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 30 funds – 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 43,000 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.
References
1. “MPS VII (Sly
syndrome).” National MPS Society. 2017, November. Retrieved from https://mpssociety.org/learn/diseases/mps-vii/.
2.
“A Guide to Understanding MPS VII.” National MPS Society. 2017,
November. Retrieved from https://mpssociety.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/MPS_VII_2008.pdf.
