THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.,
March 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen
(NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced that breast cancer survivor
Joan Lunden has been named 2015
Honorary Breakaway from Cancer® Champion as
part of a nationwide search to identify 10 Champions who have made
a positive impact in their community. Nominations are being
accepted for cancer survivors, patients, caregivers and advocates
who have inspired those affected by cancer for the chance to win a
trip to the 2015 Amgen Tour of California and be recognized during the final
day of America's largest and most prestigious professional cycling
race.
During Lunden's recent battle with cancer she committed herself
to educating women about the importance of screening and early
detection. Through her advocacy, she inspired others to protect
their own health. Lunden opened up to the public about her personal
journey with the hopes that she could offer support and inspiration
and provide a better understanding of the cancer treatment process.
In her role as this year's Honorary Breakaway from Cancer
Champion, Lunden will help select the 10 Champions who will join
her at the finish of the tenth edition of the Amgen Tour of
California.
"I am excited to join Amgen's Breakaway from Cancer as an
Honorary Champion and to help bring awareness to the resources
available to those impacted by cancer," said Lunden. "I look
forward to honoring and celebrating the Champions at the Amgen Tour
of California."
To nominate yourself, a friend or loved one, visit
www.breakawayfromcancer.com and submit a short essay about why you
or that person is a Champion in the fight against cancer. In 500
words or less, tell a compelling story of how the nominee has gone
above and beyond to make a difference in the life of someone
impacted by cancer, or how he/she has inspired those touched by
cancer. Nominations will be accepted until April 5, 2015.
"Across the country, cancer patients and survivors, as well as
their caregivers and supporters, have amazing stories that we want
to help recognize and honor," said Raymond
C. Jordan, senior vice president of Corporate Affairs at
Amgen. "Amgen and our Breakaway from Cancer partners, along
with our 2015 Honorary Champion Joan
Lunden, look forward to celebrating the extraordinary 10
Champions for their efforts during the final weekend of the tenth
anniversary of the Amgen Tour of California. Similar to the sport of cycling
where it takes a team to achieve success, one person alone can't
beat cancer."
Ten people will be named Breakaway from Cancer Champions
and will be recognized at the 2015 Amgen Tour of California. Each Champion and a guest will be
awarded a trip for up to two nights to the Los Angeles area from May 16 - 17, 2015, to attend the Amgen Tour of
California Finish in Pasadena. The
trip includes round-trip airfare and one-night hotel
accommodations.
While at the Amgen Tour of California, Champions will be recognized on
stage and given VIP access near the finish line to watch the race.
They will also participate in the "Breakaway Mile," a special walk
along the race course to honor the millions of cancer survivors
worldwide.
The panel of judges, including Joan
Lunden and representatives from Amgen, AEG, Prevent Cancer
Foundation, Cancer Support Community, Patient Advocate Foundation
and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, will review
entries on the positive impact nominees have made, as well as
overall presentation, passion and appeal of the story.
Among other eligibility requirements, nominees must reside in
the United States, be at least 18
years old, and available to travel to Southern California May
16 - 17, 2015. See official rules at
www.breakawayfromcancer.com for more details.
About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for
patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering,
developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human
therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced
human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and
understand the fundamentals of human biology.
Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages
its biologics manufacturing expertise to strive for solutions that
improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A
biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the
world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached
millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline
of medicines with breakaway potential.
For more information, visit www.amgen.com and follow us on
www.twitter.com/amgen.
About Breakaway from Cancer
Amgen is leading the race to dramatically improve people's lives
through its national initiative, Breakaway from Cancer.
Founded in 2005 by Amgen, Breakaway from Cancer aims to
increase awareness of important resources available to people
affected by cancer – from prevention through survivorship.
Breakaway from Cancer is a collaboration between Amgen and
four nonprofit partner organizations: Prevent Cancer Foundation,
Cancer Support Community, Patient Advocate Foundation, and National
Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. These organizations offer a
broad range of support services complementing those provided by a
patient's team of healthcare professionals. For more information,
please visit www.breakawayfromcancer.com or follow us on
www.twitter.com/breakawaycancer.
About the Amgen Tour of California
The Amgen Tour of California is a
Tour de France-style cycling road race created and presented by AEG
that challenges the world's top professional cycling teams to
compete along a demanding course that traverses hundreds of miles
of California's iconic highways,
byways and coastlines each spring. The teams chosen to participate
have included Olympic medalists, Tour de France contenders and
World Champions. Amgen Tour of California is listed on the international
professional cycling calendar (2 HC, meaning "beyond category"),
awarding important, world-ranking points to the top finishers. More
information is available at
www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.
About Joan Lunden
As the longest running host ever on early morning television,
Joan Lunden was the co-host
of Good Morning America for nearly two decades.
Joan is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, health and
wellness advocate, international speaker, and a mom of seven
children. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in June of 2014,
Joan made it her mission to educate and inspire others about breast
cancer prevention, treatment, and survival through her video blog
on www.JoanLunden.com and via her social media. Her website has
quickly become a go-to source of information for women, bringing
together experts on a myriad of relevant topics for today's woman
not limited to breast cancer, but also including health, boomers,
caregiving, and family. Her bestselling books
include Joan Lunden's
Healthy Cooking, Joan Lunden's
Healthy Living, Wake-Up Calls and A Bend in the
Road Is Not the End of the Road. Joan speaks all over the
country about her breast cancer journey, health & wellness,
inspiration, and success. In October, Joan joined
NBC's TODAY show as a Special Correspondent for
Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the show continues to follow her
breast cancer journey on the air.
For more information, visit
www.Joanlunden.com.
CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand
Oaks
Kristen Davis, 805-447-3008
(media)
Arvind Sood, 805-447-1060
(investors)
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SOURCE Amgen