The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMS Foundation), an independent charitable organization dedicated to advancing global health, has announced a $1 million contribution to the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF). PAF, a national non-profit organization classified as a 501(c)(3), offers free professional case management and financial assistance to Americans coping with chronic, life-threatening, and debilitating medical conditions.
This generous funding will help PAF expand its nationally recognized case management services. For nearly three decades, PAF’s case managers have worked directly with patients and their families to address barriers to healthcare access, insurance complexities, and affordability challenges—particularly for those in underserved and vulnerable communities.
Through its comprehensive support model, PAF assists patients in maintaining access to essential treatments and medications, overcoming insurance obstacles, identifying financial resources for living expenses during treatment, securing and managing health insurance coverage, applying for disability benefits, and reducing out-of-pocket costs. In fiscal year 2025 alone, PAF provided hands-on assistance to 13,551 individuals representing 773 different health conditions, averaging 30 points of contact per case and achieving over $17 million in debt relief.
The BMS Foundation’s donation coincides with Global Patient Week at Bristol Myers Squibb—an annual, week-long celebration honoring the patients who inspire the missions of both BMS and its foundation. The contribution aims to strengthen patient access to critical healthcare services.
“The BMS Foundation’s gift to the Patient Advocate Foundation underscores our ongoing dedication to improving access to care for those most in need,” said Catharine Grimes, President of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation. “By enhancing PAF’s ability to help patients and caregivers navigate complex healthcare systems, we’re empowering more individuals to overcome barriers to treatment. This partnership embodies the purpose of Global Patient Week—putting patients first and promoting health equity through compassion, advocacy, and meaningful action.”
Fran Castellow, MSEd, President of Operations at PAF, expressed gratitude for the donation: “We are deeply honored to receive this transformative support from the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation. Each year, we receive more than twice the number of case management requests than we can currently fulfill. This funding will allow us to expand our capacity, providing critical, personalized support to more patients and families facing serious health challenges.”
Guided by its mission to ensure that everyone, no matter where they live, can achieve their best possible health, the BMS Foundation focuses on building sustainable partnerships that strengthen local healthcare systems and transform how care is delivered—paving the way for better health outcomes now and in the years ahead.
This generous funding will help PAF expand its nationally recognized case management services. For nearly three decades, PAF’s case managers have worked directly with patients and their families to address barriers to healthcare access, insurance complexities, and affordability challenges—particularly for those in underserved and vulnerable communities.
Through its comprehensive support model, PAF assists patients in maintaining access to essential treatments and medications, overcoming insurance obstacles, identifying financial resources for living expenses during treatment, securing and managing health insurance coverage, applying for disability benefits, and reducing out-of-pocket costs. In fiscal year 2025 alone, PAF provided hands-on assistance to 13,551 individuals representing 773 different health conditions, averaging 30 points of contact per case and achieving over $17 million in debt relief.
The BMS Foundation’s donation coincides with Global Patient Week at Bristol Myers Squibb—an annual, week-long celebration honoring the patients who inspire the missions of both BMS and its foundation. The contribution aims to strengthen patient access to critical healthcare services.
“The BMS Foundation’s gift to the Patient Advocate Foundation underscores our ongoing dedication to improving access to care for those most in need,” said Catharine Grimes, President of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation. “By enhancing PAF’s ability to help patients and caregivers navigate complex healthcare systems, we’re empowering more individuals to overcome barriers to treatment. This partnership embodies the purpose of Global Patient Week—putting patients first and promoting health equity through compassion, advocacy, and meaningful action.”
Fran Castellow, MSEd, President of Operations at PAF, expressed gratitude for the donation: “We are deeply honored to receive this transformative support from the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation. Each year, we receive more than twice the number of case management requests than we can currently fulfill. This funding will allow us to expand our capacity, providing critical, personalized support to more patients and families facing serious health challenges.”
Guided by its mission to ensure that everyone, no matter where they live, can achieve their best possible health, the BMS Foundation focuses on building sustainable partnerships that strengthen local healthcare systems and transform how care is delivered—paving the way for better health outcomes now and in the years ahead.