Although the mission of the Legacy Brain Foundation includes providing financial support to brain and spinal cord tumor patients, we are very excited when another organization provides additional support – and, at up to $5000 per year, very substantial financial support at that.  The program is currently funded by the Musella Foundation through support from pharmaceutical companies, and will be offered "as long as there are funds available," according to Dr. Al Musella.

The Musella Foundation, best known as the home of the virtualtrials.com web portal, recently started a new program for co-pay assistance for some of the most common and most expensive brain tumor treatments.  Although the program currently is open to glioblastoma patients only, we are hopeful that other types of tumors may be eligible for assistance in the future.  As glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor in adults, this program will still potentially reach 10,000 or more patients per year.

Patients eligible for the program must have some type of insurance that will provide much of the cost of treatment for three drugs, Temodar, Gliadel, and Avastin, and for the Novocure-TTF device.  The new program assists patients for the co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses not covered by insurance.  Although there are some income qualifications specified by the program, patients or caregivers who have lost their job may still be eligible.

If you or someone you know may be interested in finding out more, visit BrainTumorCopays.org or call 1-855-426-2672.  The application process is very simple and several local patients have already received assistance.