PRESS RELEASE
Amgen's Breakaway From Cancer(R) to Honor Cancer Survivors at Amgen Tour of California
Breakaway From Cancer Champions To Lead Breakaway Mile In Four Cities
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen today announced
that four inspirational cancer survivors who have made a difference for
others affected by cancer in their communities have been selected as
Breakaway from Cancer® Champions to participate in Breakaway Miles
during the 2010 Amgen Tour of California.
Founded by Amgen in 2005 as a complementary component to the title
sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California, the initiative continues to
raise awareness of the important resources available to people impacted
by cancer - from prevention through survivorship. Breakaway from Cancer
represents a partnership between Amgen and four nonprofit organizations
dedicated to empowering patients with education, resources and hope.
"Amgen is proud to honor individuals who have made a positive
difference in the fight against cancer," said Stuart Arbuckle, vice
president and general manager of Oncology Business Unit at Amgen.
"Breakaway from Cancer was founded on the knowledge that it takes a team
to overcome this disease and the Breakaway from Cancer Champions
exemplify the commitment to helping others."
In celebration of cancer survivors everywhere, the local Breakaway
from Cancer Champions will lead the Breakaway Mile, which is an
approximately one-mile walk that ends at the Amgen Tour of California
finish line prior to the stage conclusion of the professional race in
four 2010 race host cities: Santa Cruz, Modesto, Bakersfield and
Thousand Oaks. Each Breakaway Mile will also feature an Amgen scientist
who plays a crucial role in developing breakthrough medicines.
The four Breakaway from Cancer Champions were selected following a
call for nominations earlier this year. The 2010 Breakaway from Cancer
Champions are:
-- Santa Cruz's Marilyn Luma for her involvement in the group Tutus for
Tatas which raises funds for and participates in the annual Susan G.
Komen Race for the Cure event;
-- Modesto's Sandy Howard because of her self-published book, "Life After
Chemo" that serves as a resource for women in San Joaquin Valley;
-- Bakersfield's Tricia Bland for her commitment to share her story and
knowledge to inspire others; and
-- Thousand Oaks' Steve Bartolucci because of his commitment to cycling
to counter the effects of his treatment and to raise awareness and
funds for those affected by cancer.
At the conclusion of each stage of the Amgen Tour of California, the
Breakaway from Cancer Champion or a local cancer survivor will present
Amgen's Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider jersey to the
professional rider who best exemplifies the character of those engaged
in the fight against cancer--courage, sacrifice, inspiration,
determination and perseverance.
Four-time Amgen Tour of California competitor, 14-time Tour de France
veteran and 2009 U.S. Professional Road Race Champion, Team BMC's
George Hincapie is a Breakaway from Cancer supporter. Hincapie said,
"Nearly everyone is touched by cancer, including my family, and it's
important to know that you don't have to fight cancer alone. I joined
Breakaway from Cancer in 2005 because people need to know that
education, resources and support are available as they fight the
disease."
All Breakaway from Cancer awareness and fundraising programs benefit
the initiative's four nonprofit partners - Prevent Cancer Foundation,
Cancer Support Community, Patient Advocate Foundation and National
Coalition for Cancer Survivorship - 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.
More information about the Breakaway from Cancer initiative,
including valuable resources offered by Amgen's partners, is available
at www.breakawayfromcancer.com.
About Breakaway from Cancer
Founded in 2005 by Amgen as a complementary component to the
company's title sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California, Breakaway
from Cancer® is designed to help empower people affected by cancer.
Breakaway from Cancer supports the services of four nonprofit
organizations: Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community
(formerly knows as The Wellness Community), Patient Advocate Foundation
and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. For more information,
please visit 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 broad
and deep pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed
to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn
more about Amgen's pioneering science and vital medicines, visit
www.amgen.com.
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 $113
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 nearly 400 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.
About the Cancer Support Community
Backed by evidence that the best cancer care includes emotional and
social support, the Cancer Support Community offers these services to
all people affected by cancer. Likely the largest professionally-led
network of cancer support worldwide, the organization delivers a
comprehensive menu of personalized and essential services. Because no
cancer care plan is complete without emotional and social support, the
Cancer Support Community has a vibrant network of community-based
centers and online services run by trained and licensed professionals.
For more information, visit www.cancersupportcommunity.org.
In July 2009, The Wellness Community and Gilda's Club joined forces
to become the Cancer Support Community. The combined organization
provides high-quality psychological and social support through a network
of nearly 50 local affiliates, more than 100 satellite locations and
online.
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 the work of professional case management
staff, patients have come to rely upon PAF as the providers of direct
support and educational tools which allow them to gain access to quality
healthcare. For more information, visit www.patientadvocate.org.
About the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
NCCS advocates for quality cancer care for all Americans and provides
tools that empower people affected by cancer to advocate for
themselves. Founded by and for cancer survivors, NCCS created the
widely accepted definition of survivorship and considers someone a
cancer survivor from the time of diagnosis through the balance of life.
Its free publications and resources include the award-winning Cancer
Survival Toolbox® www.canceradvocacy.org/toolbox, a self-learning audio
program created by leading cancer organizations to help people develop
essential skills to meet the challenges of their illness. More
information is available at www.canceradvocacy.org or 1-888-650-9127.
CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand OaksPhoto: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081015/AMGENLOGO
Kristen Davis, 805.447.3008
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081015/AMGENLOGO)
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Amgen
CONTACT: Kristen Davis of Amgen, Thousand Oaks, +1-805-447-3008
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