THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In an ongoing
effort to raise awareness of the comprehensive continuum of resources
available to cancer patients and their caregivers -- from prevention to
education, patient care to advocacy and financial support --Amgen's Breakaway
from Cancer(TM) initiative has expanded its charitable partners to now include
the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, Patient Advocate Foundation,
Prevent Cancer Foundation and The Wellness Community.
Amgen created Breakaway from Cancer in 2005 as a complementary component
to its sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California, an annual world-class
cycling event that takes place in February. Leading up to and during the
nine-day, 750-mile 2009 professional cycling event, which begins in Sacramento
on Feb. 14 and ends in Escondido on Feb. 22, multiple Breakaway from Cancer
activities will take place to recognize, honor and celebrate cancer survivors.
"One person alone does not beat cancer. It takes a team. Amgen's
sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California provides us with an opportunity to
support the millions of people affected by cancer," said Stuart A. Arbuckle,
vice president and general manager of Oncology Business Unit at Amgen. "Amgen
is proud to work with our Breakaway from Cancer nonprofit partners to raise
awareness of the vital programs and services they provide that support people
fighting cancer."
All Breakaway from Cancer awareness and fundraising programs will benefit
the initiative's four 2009 charitable partners, and representatives of these
four organizations will travel with the Amgen Tour of California, hosting a
Breakaway from Cancer information booth at the Lifestyle Festival held in each
of the finish cities along the route. Additionally, the Lance Armstrong
Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer will join forces with the Breakaway from
Cancer campaign during the Amgen Tour of California to help spread the word
about working together to conquer cancer.
Breakaway from Cancer Charity Rides
To raise awareness and funds for people affected by cancer, Breakaway from
Cancer charity bicycle rides will take place in San Francisco and Thousand
Oaks, Calif. on Sunday, Feb. 8. The San Francisco ride will encompass a
moderate 25-mile course, and Thousand Oaks will offer either a 25- or 50-mile
course. Both events will feature finish line activities. In addition,
participants in the San Francisco ride will have the opportunity to meet
professional cyclist and Amgen Tour of California stage winner George Hincapie
and Thousand Oaks cyclists will meet Team Columbia riders. Interested riders
can register by visiting www.breakawayfromcancer.com.
"Since the inaugural Amgen Tour of California, I have been a part of the
Breakaway from Cancer initiative," said Hincapie. "Nearly everyone is touched
by cancer, including my family, and it's important for those affected to
realize they don't have to face the illness alone. Just as in cycling where it
takes a support team to help a rider break away from the pack, it takes a
strong support network to help a person with cancer face the many hurdles
throughout treatment."
Breakaway Miles During the Amgen Tour of California
In honor of cancer survivors everywhere with the spotlight on one special
local survivor, Amgen created the Breakaway Mile -- an honorary one-mile bike
ride that takes place at the finish line of the Amgen Tour of California,
prior to the stage conclusion of the professional race. The Breakaway Mile
will take place in four 2009 race host cities: Santa Rosa, Modesto, Paso
Robles and Escondido. Each Breakaway Mile will feature a local cancer
survivor and an Amgen scientist who plays a crucial role in developing
breakthrough medicines. Similar to the support team that helps a cyclist
breakaway from the pack, it takes a strong support network to help a person
break away from cancer.
More information about the Breakaway from Cancer initiative, including
valuable services and programs offered by Amgen's partners, is available at
www.breakawayfromcancer.com.
About Breakaway from Cancer
Founded in 2005, Breakaway from Cancer(TM) is a complementary component to
the Amgen race sponsorship. Breakaway from Cancer strives to raise awareness
of the important resources available to cancer patients from prevention to
education, and patient care to advocacy and financial support. The initiative
includes charitable partners the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship,
Patient Advocate Foundation, Prevent Cancer Foundation and The Wellness
Community, and it also has joined forces with the Lance Armstrong Foundation
and Stand Up To Cancer. Learn more at www.breakawayfromcancer.com.
About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human
therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first
companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective
medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics
have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the
world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and
other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new
medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically
improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our
vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.
About the Lance Armstrong Foundation
At the Lance Armstrong Foundation, we fight for the 28 million people
around the world living with cancer today. There can be - and should be - life
after cancer for more people. That's why we kick in at the moment of
diagnosis, giving people the resources and support they need to fight cancer
head-on. We find innovative ways to raise awareness, fund research and end the
stigma about cancer that many survivors face. We connect people and
communities to drive social change, and we call for state, national and world
leaders to help fight this disease. Anyone, anywhere can join our fight
against cancer. Join us at LIVESTRONG.org.
About the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) is a leading cancer
advocacy organization founded by and for cancer survivors more than 20 years
ago. Its priorities are to advocate for quality cancer care for all Americans
and to empower people with cancer to advocate for themselves. Believing that
access to credible and accurate patient information is fundamental to
understanding and receiving quality cancer care, NCCS provides tools and
information for people to become strong advocates for their own care or the
care of others. The award-winning Cancer Survival Toolbox(R) and other
resources and information are available at www.canceradvocacy.org or
301-650-9127.
About Patient Advocate Foundation
Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) was established in 1996 as a national
501(c)3 organization with a mission of safeguarding patients with chronic,
life threatening, and/or debilitating illnesses assuring access to care,
maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability.
Through this work, its patients have come to rely upon PAF as the providers of
educational tools and direct support which allow them to gain access to
quality healthcare. For more information, visit www.patientadvocate.org.
About Prevent Cancer Foundation
The Prevent Cancer Foundation was started in 1985. Today, it is one of the
nation's leading health organizations and has catapulted cancer prevention to
prominence. Through healthy lifestyle choices, you can reduce your risk of
breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, oral, prostate, skin and testicular
cancers.
Since its inception the Foundation has provided more than $106 million in
support of cancer prevention and early detection research, education and
community outreach programs. The Foundation's peer-reviewed grants have been
awarded to more than 300 scientists from more than 150 of the leading academic
medical centers nationwide. This research has been pivotal in developing a
body of knowledge that is the basis for important cancer prevention and early
detection strategies. For more information, please visit
www.preventcancer.org.
Stand Up To Cancer
The Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) initiative raises awareness and funds to
accelerate ground-breaking research that will get new therapies to patients
quickly. Launched in May of 2008, SU2C is a program of the Entertainment
Industry Foundation, and draws on the industry's resources in the fight
against the disease as never before. On September 5, ABC, CBS, and NBC
donated airtime for the first-ever three-network simultaneous broadcast of a
fundraising special aimed at rallying the public around the goal of defeating
cancer. SU2C's "Dream Team" approach will eliminate barriers that often
inhibit creativity and collaboration in cancer research, by enabling the best
and brightest scientists from leading institutions across the country and
internationally to work together. The American Association for Cancer
Research (AACR) is charged with conducting expert scientific review of the
projects and administering the funds, under the direction of a prestigious
Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information, visit
www.standup2cancer.org.
About The Wellness Community
The Wellness Community is an international, non-profit organization that
provides support, education and hope to people with cancer and those who care
for them. By providing free professionally-led support groups, educational
workshops, nutrition and exercise programs, and stress reduction classes, The
Wellness Community helps individuals affected by cancer learn vital skills
that enable them to regain control, reduce isolation and enhance quality of
life. The Wellness Community also collaborates with academic and medical
partners to conduct evidence-based research and provide training in the field
of psychosocial oncology with the goal of improving outcomes and quality of
life for cancer patients, cancer survivors, and the individuals who care for
them. The Wellness Community assists individuals affected by cancer at over
100 locations worldwide including 24 U.S.-based and 2 international centers,
73 satellite and off-site programs, and online at
www.thewellnesscommunity.org.
Contacts: Amgen, Thousand Oaks
Kristen Davis, 805-447-3008
Alison Liebich, 415-839-8739
SOURCE Amgen
