THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.,
May 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/
-- Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today debuted a new public service
announcement (PSA) featuring Breakaway from
Cancer® ambassador Patrick
Dempsey in an effort to increase awareness of the importance
of education and support services available for those impacted by
cancer.
To view the multimedia assets associated with this press
release, please click:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7792851-breakaway-from-cancer-psa/
In 2016 alone, it is estimated that almost 1.7 million Americans
will be diagnosed with cancer.[1] One person alone can't
beat cancer, it takes a team. The Breakaway from Cancer
non-profit partner organizations – Prevent Cancer Foundation,
Cancer Support Community, Patient Advocate Foundation and National
Coalition for Cancer Survivorship – collectively offer a broad
range of support services to people affected by cancer,
complementing those provided by a patient's team of healthcare
professionals.
The new Breakaway from Cancer public service announcement
delivers its message through an impactful, straightforward video
featuring four individuals with real-life cancer journeys. The PSA
will first air during the 11th annual Amgen Tour of
California, the nation's largest
and most prestigious professional cycling race.
Dempsey, who lost his mother to ovarian cancer, was motivated to
join Breakaway from Cancer in 2007 by her courage and his
family's experience in rallying around her. In 2008, he founded the
Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing in
Maine and continues to work with
Breakaway from Cancer to deliver the message that no one
should fight cancer alone.
Cancer survivors join Dempsey in the PSA to share their messages
of hope. Jackie Crowell, a cancer
survivor and former professional cyclist, shares that resources
help everyone affected by cancer – patients, caregivers and family
members. Debra Parson, a caregiver
to her brother during his cancer journey, explains that there is
help navigating healthcare and insurance questions. Cancer survivor
and long-time Breakaway from Cancer supporter Blaine Mauldin shares that finding a community
is important.
Founded in 2005, Breakaway from Cancer aims to increase
awareness of important resources available to those impacted by
cancer – from prevention to survivorship.
"Amgen's mission is to serve patients and we are proud to
recognize individuals who make a positive difference in the fight
against cancer," said Raymond C.
Jordan, senior vice president of Corporate Affairs at
Amgen. "Similar to the sport of cycling where it takes a team
to achieve success, one person alone cannot beat cancer. Amgen is
proud to be a part of the team to help empower patients with
education, resources and hope through Breakaway from
Cancer."
As part of the Breakaway from Cancer initiative, cancer
survivors will participate in a variety of activities during the
Amgen Tour of California,
May 15-22, 2016, including start
activities each stage of the race. At the conclusion of each race
day, 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.
All Breakaway from Cancer programs benefit the
initiative's four nonprofit partners – Prevent Cancer Foundation,
Cancer Support Community, Patient Advocate Foundation and National
Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. 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 at each
stage along the race route.
More information about Breakaway from Cancer, including
valuable resources offered by Amgen's partners, is available at
www.breakawayfromcancer.com.
About Breakaway from Cancer®
Amgen
is leading the race to dramatically improve patients' 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 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 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.
Contacts:
Kristen Davis, 805-447-3008
Kristen Neese, 805-313-8267
[1] American Cancer Society. Cancer Statistics
2016
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SOURCE Amgen