Second Opinion Program Contact and Application Information

ALK Positive Second Opinion Program

This program was conceived of by a generous philanthropic ALK Positive member, Jim Peard. The Medical and Pharmaceutical Advocacy Committee of ALK Positive established this program to help those who need a second opinion from a leading ALK-positive lung cancer expert, but do not have the financial resources to obtain that second opinion. The Second Opinion Program will pay the provider directly for providing a second opinion to an ALK Positive member approved by the Second Opinion Program. There will be no payment made directly to the patient. The patient will NOT need to make any payment for the second opinion.

The doctors currently participating in the ALK Positive Second Opinion Program are: Dr. Ross Camidge at UCHealth, Denver, Colorado Dr. Alice Shaw at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, Massachusetts Dr. Dr. Jessica Lin at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, Massachusetts Dr. Christine Lovly, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee Dr. Collin Blakely, UCSF, San Francisco, California Dr. Vincent Lam, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland They are all recognized as amongst the world’s foremost ALK- positive lung cancer experts. Dr. Camidge provides remote consults.

This means the patient can send whatever records they request, without the patient attending in person. The doctor, after reviewing the records, then provides a “remote consult” meaning there is no need for the patient to travel (especially if not well enough to travel or unable to pay for accommodations or take time away from work or family). The patient may also do an in person consult if they prefer. The other doctors do not provide remote consults. The patient has to attend in person.

The patient will be responsible for the costs of travel, accommodation, meals, and any other costs. The ALK Positive Second Opinion Program has limited funds. Please do NOT apply if you can make payment for a second opinion yourself (please consider fundraising for yourself, either by support from friends and family or fundraising through online program such as GoFundMe or a local community fundraiser). If you have insurance, please claim for the medical costs. If the insurance or hospital sends you a check afterwards, please consider making a donation to the ALK Positive Research Fund or reimbursing this program as much as you can.

Please contact/email the following for Application Form : Stephanie Kratochwill Chair, Second Opinion Program, ALK Positive stephaniekrat@gmail.com

We shall make every effort to respond to all applicants within 48 hours. We shall notify you whether or not you are approved for the program once the Second Opinion Program Review Panel has reviewed your application and reached a decision on whether or not to approve.