THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY received a charitable donation from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company for chronic myeloid leukemia patients who need help paying for PCR testing.
The donation will also support awareness activities focused on educating patients, caregivers and healthcare providers about the importance of continued monitoring with PCR testing.
“Routine PCR testing is critical because oncologists rely on the results to determine their patients’ clinical status of early and ongoing response to CML treatment and to help detect when patients are potentially becoming resistant to treatment, which may allow for earlier intervention,” said Louis DeGennaro, LLS president and CEO. “Research indicates that early response to treatment and careful monitoring correlate with better overall survival rates.”
Recommendations suggest that a CML patient should receive a PCR test every three months for the first three years after diagnosis, and every three to six months thereafter based on how well their treatment is working. The average cost of a PCR test is $345 and can be as high as $500 per test.
The program will assist insured and uninsured patients with out-of-pocket costs for PCR testing.
LLS will also partner with The Max Foundation, Cancer Support Community and the National CML Society to facilitate ongoing promotion and awareness about the PCR Financial Assistance and Awareness Program.
