Genzyme Announces Winners of Patient Advocacy Leadership (PAL) Awards
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September 30, 2013
Genzyme, a Sanofi company (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY), today announced the recipients of the 2013 Genzyme Patient Advocacy Leadership (PAL) Awards. This global grant program supports outreach programs by non-profit organizations that work on behalf of patients living with lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs), a group of rare, inherited disorders that cause progressive and debilitating health problems.
In its third year, the Genzyme PAL Award program encourages new and innovative approaches to improve disease awareness, patient care support, and education. More than 40 patient organizations representing 25 countries submitted proposals. Proposals were received from the Batten, Gaucher, MPS, Fabry, Pompe, and Niemann-Pick disease communities as well as several other rare disease patient organizations. Eight recipients were chosen and collectively received over $100,000 from Genzyme, to support programs in Chile, China, Denmark, Hungary, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Genzyme PAL Award program supplements Genzyme’s existing grants program and does not replace the contributions made locally each year to support advocacy groups.
“Over the past two years we have been inspired by the depth and reach of the PAL awards recipients and their efforts to strengthen the rare disease patient community,” said Jamie Ring, Genzyme’s Vice President of Global Patient Advocacy and Humanitarian Programs for Rare Diseases. “This year we’re excited to recognize many organizations around the world that are working towards expanding awareness and education, improving access to treatment for patients, and empowering the next generation of physicians.”
An external review committee was again assembled to review applications and select the PAL Award recipients. The committee members included: Patricia Collins, former Chief Development Officer at Clinton Health Access Initiative; Jean F. Campbell, Rare Disease Advocacy Consultant; Erik Tambuyzer, President and Founder, ABConsult; Kimberly Goodrich, CFRE, The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, Senior Director of Development; and Cara Hesse, Associate Director of Global Patient Advocacy at Genzyme. More information on the Genzyme PAL Awards can be found at: www.genzymeadvocacyawards.com.
Genzyme is pleased to announce the 2013 PAL Award grant recipients below:
UNITED STATES: Batten Disease Support and Research Association (BDSRA)
“Multicultural Clinical Practice Guidelines for Batten Disease”
Guideline Development
The BDSRA seeks to improve the diagnostic efficacy and disease management for Batten disease patients by producing and publishing clinical practice guidelines for medical professionals. These guidelines would utilize existing clinical experience and expertise of the Batten Disease Centers of Excellence in the United States, Serbia, and Argentina. Ultimately, these guidelines will be available in multiple languages to support global care. The project will provide physicians with clinical guidelines to inform medical care decisions, advance linkages between LSD Centers of Excellence and community physicians and pediatricians, and provide a multicultural template for LSD clinical practice guidelines derived from known experts in Batten disease.
CHILE: Fundación de Pacientes Lisosomales de Chile (FELCH)
“Healthcare Student Awareness Program” medical student empowerment project
http://www.felch.cl/
Through this project, FELCH seeks to increase awareness of Lysosomal Storage Diseases in Chile through an education and outreach program among university students. This national educational campaign will inform and empower future healthcare professionals through seminars and materials distributed by patients and physicians knowledgeable about LSDs. By empowering the next generation of medical professionals, FELCH hopes to ultimately improve diagnosis and treatment of Pompe, Gaucher, MPS I, and Fabry diseases.
CHINA: China Dolls Center for Rare Disorders
“Our World: Rare and Real — Traveling Documentary Photography Exhibit”
The Our World Photography Project seeks to raise awareness of rare diseases through a traveling, nationwide photography exhibit featuring individuals living with Lysosomal Storage Disorders. Through this exhibit, China Dolls aims to increase understanding and awareness of the impact LSDs have on individual lives, and to foster policies that protect the basic rights of all individuals living with a rare disease to access medical treatment, education, and employment. The exhibit will tour major city centers including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Xi’an and will include media outreach throughout the tour.
DENMARK: Gaucher Association Denmark on Behalf of a Collaboration of Six Danish Patient Associations
“Together We Can Be Stronger” Family Conference
http://www.gaucherforeningen.dk/index.html
Six Danish patient organizations will cohost the first-ever family conference for patients and their families living with metabolic disorders in Denmark. Collectively, these associations focus on: Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation Syndrome, Fabry Disease, Gaucher Disease, MCAD Deficiency, Protein Degradation Defect Diseases, and Wilson Disease. In addition, the collaborative expects to involve other families dealing with rare metabolic disorders that don’t have a patient organization to support their needs. Organizers hope to reduce the sense of isolation for families, engender a greater sense of community, and generate momentum for collective action in the future through this innovative conference.
HUNGARY: Foundation for Patients with Fabry Disease
“Fabry Diagnosis and Monitoring System” Diagnostic Standardization
Through this project, the Foundation for Patients with Fabry Disease seeks to improve access to medical treatment for patients by developing a Fabry Diagnosis and Monitoring System to be utilized throughout the country. Because physical examinations are conducted at many sites nationwide and physicians’ knowledge and experience with Fabry disease can vary widely, the project intends to create a clear, objective examination protocol that will ultimately improve treatment decisions by the government health care agency. After a comprehensive research and development phase, a pilot program will be launched and the project will culminate with a publication, with the ultimate goal of national adoption.
PHILIPPINES: Philippine Society for Orphan Disorders (PSOD)
“I Can Be Like You” Animated Video
Through this PAL project, PSOD will expand its national rare disease awareness campaign through the creation of a first-ever animated film to be used in social media format. This film will be treated as a children’s story highlighting a little girl’s journey to obtain the correct diagnosis and the importance of getting the proper care once the diagnosis has been made. Using this animated format, PSOD will simplify complex medical terms to improve understanding and increase social sharing via the Internet. PSOD hopes to use the film to accelerate their broader awareness and advocacy campaigns to improve access to sustainable treatment for rare disease patients throughout the Philippines.
UNITED KINGDOM: LSD Collaborative
“If you hear hooves it may be a zebra……” Medical Student Empowerment Project
https://www.facebook.com/UkLsdPatientOrganisationCollaborative
The UK LSD Collaborative — a collaborative of six rare disease patient organizations — seeks to improve diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases in the U.K. by educating and empowering the next generation of health care providers. Together, the organizations of the UK LSD Collaborative represent the Batten, Gaucher, Fabry, MPS, Niemann-Pick, Pompe and Krabbe disease patient communities. Through their PAL project, the Collaborative will partner with 5th year medical students from the Barts London School of Medicine and Dentistry, as well as the student-created London Society for Rare Diseases to support the development of rare disease societies across the London Medical Schools. Other activities include the development of a website, toolkit, and speakers bureau.
UNITED STATES: National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases Association (NTSAD)
“Rare Siblings Project” Video Series
http://www.ntsad.org/
This project seeks to create a web based video series designed to support siblings of children affected with life limiting illness, as well as those living with complex and chronic conditions. Specifically, the project will look to support children between the ages of 6 and 18 years of age. Intended outcomes of this project include reducing feelings of isolation often experienced by siblings, provide siblings with a forum for self-expression, provide parents with insights into the sibling perspective, and develop a community of sibling support. Videos will ultimately be promoted using social media channels such as You Tube and Facebook and will be accessible by the broader rare disease community.
About Genzyme, a Sanofi Company
Genzyme has pioneered the development and delivery of transformative therapies for patients affected by rare and debilitating diseases for over 30 years. We accomplish our goals through world-class research and with the compassion and commitment of our employees. With a focus on rare diseases and multiple sclerosis, we are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of the patients and families we serve. That goal guides and inspires us every day. Genzyme’s portfolio of transformative therapies, which are marketed in countries around the world, represents groundbreaking and life-saving advances in medicine. As a Sanofi company, Genzyme benefits from the reach and resources of one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, with a shared commitment to improving the lives of patients. Learn more at www.genzyme.com.
About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients’ needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).
CONTACT: Genzyme
Ingrid Mitchell, 617-768-6699
Ingrid.Mitchell@genzyme.com
SOURCE: Genzyme
Copyright Business Wire 2013
