Virginia-Based Patient Advocate Foundation Welcomes Former NASCAR Team Executive as New Executive Vice President of National Partnerships

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Jan 20, 2010, 11:29 ET

Jon Sands to Develop and Oversee Marketing and Strategic Partnership Initiatives for Nation's Leading Patient Advocacy Organization

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Jan. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) – a national non-profit organization providing mediation and arbitration services to tens of thousands of patients every year who are unable to obtain access to health care because of financial obstacles or insurance denials – announced today the appointment of Jon Sands, formerly Vice President of Business Development for Roush Fenway Racing, NASCAR's largest and preeminent team organization, as its Executive Vice President of National Partnerships. In this new position, Sands will promote PAF and its direct patient service offerings to new audiences nationwide and explore strategic partnerships for the organization.

"We are so fortunate to welcome Jon Sands to our development team, where he will join us in further advancing our mission of removing dangerous obstacles to health care for uninsured and underinsured patients living with chronic, debilitating and life-threatening illnesses," said Nancy Davenport-Ennis, Founder and CEO of PAF. "Jon's extensive background in marketing and development, coupled with his personal connection to the cancer community and his inspiring dedication to helping those who are critically and chronically ill, will be of great service in widening PAF's reach as we provide critical information, support and case management services to patients in need."

Before joining PAF, Sands was a key member of Roush Fenway Racing's executive marketing team, where he secured and nurtured a variety of major corporate sponsor partners and developed successful integrated marketing programs for the organization. From 2003 to 2009, Sands cultivated more than $200 million in new sponsorship programs – with companies such as AAA, Scotts MiracleGro, Dish Network, 3M, Arby's, Sharp Electronics and Academy Sports+Outdoors. Prior to working with Roush, Sands had developed a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable promotion and marketing specialists in the motorsports industry, serving as Director of Marketing and Media Relations for Phoenix's Firebird International Raceway; serving as an Account Executive at Cohn & Wolfe public relations/marketing firm, where he oversaw the Pennzoil NASCAR Sprint Cup Series program and the activation of all marketing elements related to the program; and holding several additional senior-level positions in sponsorship marketing and partner acquisition for several top motorsports teams, including spending five years as Marketing Director for the Coors Brewing Company's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series program (working for Team SABCO).

Following his stage 3-4 cancer diagnosis in 2000 and successful treatment ending in 2001, Sands began to look for opportunities to give back on a substantial level to other patients battling cancer and other serious illness. As Sands had personally experienced several access to care challenges that also face millions of chronically ill Americans, such as receiving insurance coverage denials and seeing mounting medical bills during his treatment, he found a natural connection in helping these individuals by joining PAF.

"I am thrilled to now become an integral part of this fantastic organization that is truly making a difference in people's lives. Following my successful battle with cancer, I struggled with how to bring true meaning to my survival and best help those who continue with their fight against the disease – so joining PAF means a great deal to me on both a professional and a personal level," said Sands. "I am eager to apply the marketing, relationship-building and business development techniques that I was fortunate to develop with Jack Roush and his talented staff to the programs at PAF, where I am optimistic that we will expand the organization and reach new audiences in meaningful and exciting ways."

Starting with PAF on January 19, Sands will be based in Mooresville, N.C., where he lives with his wife, Christine, and their three children and counsels local individuals and families dealing with cancer.

About the Patient Advocate Foundation

Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) is a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability. For more information about PAF, please visit www.patientadvocate.org or call toll free (800) 532-5274.

SOURCE Patient Advocate Foundation