GERMANTOWN, Md. — On October 12, 2016 — The HealthWell Foundation®, an independent non-profit that provides a financial lifeline for inadequately insured Americans, announced that it opened a new fund to provide assistance to patients who are at-risk, or infected with, potentially life-threatening fungal infections, specifically Aspergillosis and Candidiasis. Through the fund, HealthWell will provide up to $3,000 in co-payment assistance to eligible patients who are insured and have annual household incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anyone can get a fungal infection. Fungi are common in the environment, but they are more likely to cause infections in individuals with weak immune systems, such as anyone who has cancer, has had a stem cell or organ transplant, is taking a medication that weakens the immune system, or is hospitalized for an illness that weakened the immune system. Invasive fungal infections can affect the blood, heart, brain, eyes, bones, and other parts of the body.
“Candida and aspergillus infections can spread from the gut or lungs through the bloodstream with serious ramifications,” said Dr. David Denning, President, Global Action Fund for Fungal Infections (GAFFI) and Director of the UK’s National Aspergillosis Centre, University Hospital of South Manchester. “In the more serious hospital cases, only half the patients survive, even with therapy, and all die without antifungal treatment. Long-term antifungal therapy is costly and required for many chronic conditions. Contributions to effective and affordable treatment and prevention will often be lifesaving.”
“Thanks to the continued generosity of our donors, we are now able to offer financial relief to patients living with invasive fungal infections as well as patients who may be at-risk of infection due to compromised immune systems,” said Krista Zodet, HealthWell Foundation President.“These patients, whether they are battling an active infection or require preventative medication, desperately need treatment. Our fund offers instant grant approvals and instant pharmacy card activation to provide these patients with immediate access to care and to potentially lifesaving medications.”