FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Angels for Change Releases New White Paper Highlighting Project GOLD as a National Model for Protecting Cancer Patients During Drug Shortages
"How Buffer Stock, Proactive Coordination, and Patient Advocacy Have Become a National Lifeline for Cancer Patients" demonstrates the success of a patient-centered approach to safeguarding access to essential oncology medicines.
TAMPA, FL – June 24, 2026 – Angels for Change, through its Change Makers Institute, today announced the release of a new white paper, How Buffer Stock, Proactive Coordination, and Patient Advocacy Have Become a National Lifeline for Cancer Patients, highlighting the development and success of Project GOLD (Generic Oncology Lifesaving Drugs).
The white paper examines the ongoing threat drug shortages pose to cancer patients and presents Project GOLD as an innovative, patient-centered solution designed to protect access to lifesaving oncology treatments when shortages occur.
Patients across the United States rely on generic medicines to access affordable, lifesaving care. Yet when these medicines become unavailable, the consequences can be immediate and devastating. Treatment delays, substitutions, and interruptions can jeopardize outcomes and create significant emotional and financial burdens for patients and their families.
Although active drug shortages declined in 2025, essential oncology medicines remain among the most vulnerable drugs in the supply chain. Generic sterile injectables account for the majority of critical medicine shortages, with chemotherapy agents consistently representing a significant portion of active shortages nationwide.
““Patients should never have to wonder whether the medicine they need to survive will be available when they arrive for treatment.”
"Patients should never have to wonder whether the medicine they need to survive will be available when they arrive for treatment," said Laura Bray, Founder and Chief Change Maker of Angels for Change. "Project GOLD was created to provide a proactive solution that puts patients first, ensuring healthcare providers have access to critical oncology medicines before shortages become treatment crises."
Project GOLD was established to create a strategic reserve of essential cancer medicines distributed across multiple U.S.-based distribution centers. Through partnerships with leading healthcare organizations and integration with the Angels for Change Drug Crisis Hotline and Global Supply Sharing Network, the program enables rapid identification, coordination, and distribution of emergency supplies during shortages.
The white paper details the results of Project GOLD Phase 1, which operated from March through December 2025 and was activated during the national shortage of leucovorin calcium injections. During the shortage, Project GOLD helped support continuity of cancer care while providing healthcare providers with trusted, real-time information about emergency supply availability.
Beyond ensuring access to medication, the initiative demonstrated the value of early engagement and coordinated communication, helping reduce uncertainty and emotionally driven purchasing behaviors that can further destabilize supply during shortages.
““Project GOLD proved that proactive planning and collaboration can significantly reduce the impact of drug shortages on patients.””
"Project GOLD proved that proactive planning and collaboration can significantly reduce the impact of drug shortages on patients," said Bray. "When healthcare organizations, manufacturers, distributors, and patient advocates work together before a crisis escalates, patients are far more likely to receive uninterrupted care."
Building on the success of the pilot phase, Project GOLD will expand in 2026 to include additional essential oncology medicines, engage new strategic partners, and further strengthen the infrastructure needed for broader national implementation.
The Change Makers Institute developed this white paper to share lessons learned from the program and encourage broader adoption of proactive, patient-centered approaches to strengthening supply chain resilience.
As drug shortages continue to challenge healthcare systems across the country, Angels for Change remains committed to advancing solutions that protect patients, improve coordination, and ensure access to lifesaving medicines.
The full white paper, How Buffer Stock, Proactive Coordination, and Patient Advocacy Have Become a National Lifeline for Cancer Patients, is available through the Change Makers Institute.
About Angels for Change
Angels for Change is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending drug shortages through advocacy, awareness, and innovative solutions. By bringing together patients, healthcare providers, manufacturers, distributors, policymakers, and other stakeholders, Angels for Change works to ensure every patient has access to the medications they need when they need them.
Learn more: www.angelsforchange.org
