My PCR: A Community Driven Approach to Raising Awareness About PCR in LMICs

49 Background: There is a significant need to increase awareness among chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients and their physicians about the importance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for disease diagnosis and monitoring. PCR is one of the most sensitive ways to diagnose CML and is one of the most reliable tools for monitoring disease. Many CML patients in LMICs lack access to PCR due to a lack of awareness and/or financial constraints. In 2012, My PCR was launched to address this. Goals: increase patient awareness of the importance of monitoring residual disease increase patient understanding of CML treatment milestones increase patients' involvement in treatment increase community awareness about needs of patientsMethods: Led by The Max Foundation, My PCR is a coalition of 56 patient advocacy organizations from 51 countries (mostly LMICs) that uses a collaborative approach to raise awareness among stakeholders. My PCR provides educational information and resources in >25 languages, offers grants to partners to host booths at local and international hematology society conferences, host awareness events that engage physicians, and print educational materials. My PCR uses a website and social media to house resources and promote initiatives.Results: Since 2012, My PCR has: doubled its partnership base; reached over 40,000 patients, caregivers and physicians with educational information/resources, greatly increasing patient and physician understanding of PCR for CML monitoring in LMICs; and facilitated over 70 awareness events and regional meetings, bringing together patients and physicians to strengthen dialogue about CML treatment/monitoring.Next Steps: My PCR will create a PCR Advocacy Toolkit for advocates to adapt to their local context to increase access to PCR. The Toolkit will address how to collaborate with physicians, engage Ministries of Health, and utilize existing avenues for testing. Additionally, there will be an increased focus on measuring the impact of partners' efforts in improving access to PCR testing.AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: No COIs from either author.