Grants to support patient advocacy efforts: the LEAD program from CSL Behring

As those who follow this blog know, I frequently post on ways patients are taking more and more ownership of the brands they rely on. Here’s another example of how bio-pharma companies are helping connect with patient-driven initiatives.



CSL Behring, a global leader in the plasma-protein biotherapeutics industry, is calling for grant requests through its Local Empowerment for Advocacy Development (LEAD) program. The LEAD program awards funds to United States patient organizations that assist people with rare diseases in advocating for continued access to health care and life-saving plasma protein therapies.


To date, the LEAD program has awarded more than $150,000 to 12 patient organizations for their use in funding grassroots advocacy initiatives that mobilize patient populations to advance state standards of care legislation and improve access to health insurance.


To qualify for a LEAD grant, a patient organization must:


· Be a non-profit with 501(c)(3) tax status;
· Represent people who use plasma protein therapies to treat coagulation disorders, immune deficiencies, genetic emphysema or other conditions; and
· Demonstrate that financial assistance will help the group or organizations advance important local or state advocacy initiatives.


The deadline for submitting applications to the LEAD Program is April 30, 2009. Applications, specific criteria for applying, and additional information about the LEAD program are available on the CSL Behring Web site at www.cslbehring.com/leadgrants