MPN Awareness Day Raises Awareness and Support for the Nearly 300,000 People in the United States Affected by Rare Blood Cancers
- September 10, 2015, commemorates the third annual MPN Awareness Day
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Incyte supports MPN awareness by providing patient resources and
programs throughout September - Call for MPN Heroes™ Recognition Program Nominations Ends Today
WILMINGTON, Del.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month and, today, the MPN Coalition,
a group of seven patient advocacy organizations, recognizes MPN
Awareness Day. MPN Awareness Day, September 10, 2015, is a time when
patients, physicians, caregivers and advocates join together to honor
the estimated 300,000 individuals living in the U.S. with a group of
rare blood cancers known as myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs).
MPNs are a closely related group of progressive blood cancers that can
strike anyone at any age. MPNs occur when the bone marrow cells that
produce the body’s blood cells develop and function abnormally. The
three main MPNs are myelofibrosis (MF), polycythemia vera (PV) and
essential thrombocythemia (ET). Of these three MPNs, PV is the most
prevalent.
“Connecting with other families impacted by these rare cancers is
empowering and reminds me that we are all in this fight together,” said
Kathy Vogt, 2014 MPN Hero Award Recipient and wife of patient Gary Vogt.
“Patients managing MPNs are the real heroes and as a community we need
to support any efforts for greater education, understanding and
awareness. MPN Awareness Day offers us a time to come together to learn
and to connect with others impacted by MPNs.”
During MPN Awareness Day and throughout the month of September, MPN
patients, physicians and caregivers are encouraged to use their voice
and share their stories to raise awareness for these rare blood cancers.
Individuals are encouraged to pledge their support by sharing an MPN
Awareness badge with their friends and family on Facebook and Pinterest.
Additionally, the updated “Raise Your Voice” toolkit provides the MPN
community with new resources for sharing this message across social
media channels and in their everyday lives. These and other resources
are available on www.voicesofmpn.com.
”We are honored to join the MPN Coalition in recognizing this community
of patients and their families during a month of MPN disease awareness
and education,” said Hervé Hoppenot, President and Chief Executive
Officer, Incyte. “Raising awareness for MPNs is imperative to encourage
support and strengthen the community around these rare blood cancers and
help patients and their caregivers more easily access the resources they
need to manage life with these debilitating diseases.”
September also provides an opportunity to honor patients, doctors,
caregivers, advocates and organizations that contribute to bringing
understanding, compassion and strength to those living with MPNs through
the MPN Heroes Recognition Program. The MPN Heroes program, sponsored by
Incyte in collaboration with CURE Media Group, publishers of CURE
magazine, is accepting nominations for the 2015 MPN Heroes program
through the end of day today, September 10, 2015, via www.mpnheroes.com.
Important MPN Awareness Resources and Programs Available Throughout
the Month Include:
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“Raise Your Voice” on MPN Awareness Day: MPN patients and
caregivers can learn more about how they can spread awareness on
Thursday, September 10th by downloading the “Raise
Your Voice” toolkit on www.voicesofmpn.com
– which includes a guide and helpful tips on how to spread awareness
through social media. -
Sharing Sundays: Every Sunday in September, MPN patients and
caregivers can join others at http://www.voicesofmpn.com/wall-of-voices
in sharing a photo and short message on the Wall
of Voices to show support for the MPN community. -
“Ask an MPN Expert” on Facebook Fridays: On Friday, September
18 and Friday, September 25, from 12 PM to 4 PM Eastern, Incyte will
be hosting an “Ask an MPN Expert” private live web chat for patients
and caregivers. An MPN nurse will be on hand to answer questions about
MPNs on Facebook. To participate in the chat, access the “Voices
of MPN” Facebook page via a desktop computer or laptop.
Stay connected and informed with all of the MPN awareness activities
happening throughout September by “Liking” the “Voices
of MPN” Facebook page or following “Voices
of MPN” on Pinterest.
About Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs)
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a closely related group of blood
cancers in which the bone marrow cells that produce the body’s blood
cells develop and function abnormally.1 The three main
myeloproliferative neoplasms are myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera,
essential thrombocythemia.1 MPNs are progressive blood
cancers that can strike anyone at any age. Estimates of the prevalence
of MPNs vary, but analysis of claims data suggests there may be as many
as 300,000 people in the U.S. living with MPNs.2
About Incyte
Incyte Corporation is a Wilmington, Delaware-based biopharmaceutical
company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of
proprietary therapeutics, primarily for oncology. For additional
information, please visit www.incyte.com.
References
1. “Learning About MPNs – PV, ET, PMF” MPN Research Foundation, http://www.mpnresearchfoundation.org/overview-page
2. “Prevalence,” MPN Research Foundation, http://www.mpnresearchfoundation.org/prevalence
@ 2015, Incyte Corporation. All rights reserved. INC-1127 09/15
Contacts
Media Contacts:
Catalina Loveman
302-498-6171
cloveman@incyte.com
or
Elliot
Fox
212-257-6724
efox@w2ogroup.com