The PAN Foundation today reopened a financial assistance program for people living with myelodysplastic syndromes, providing up to $6,800 per year for eligible patients. 

Myelodysplastic syndromes, also known as MDS, are a group of rare blood diseases that can occur when the body does not make enough healthy blood cells, causing problems in the bone marrow. MDS is considered a type of cancer. According to the American Cancer Institute, the number of people diagnosed with MDS in the U.S. each year is estimated at around 10,000 but is not known for sure. 

“The risk of an MDS diagnosis increases with age and is most common for people in their 70s. These should be the years of well-earned rest and relaxation, not worry about how to afford treating a rare and serious disease,” said Kevin L. Hagan, PAN’s President and CEO. “We were able to reopen this important fund thanks to the support of PAN’s generous donors, allowing us to once again ease the financial burden for those living with myelodysplastic syndromes.” Read More >