Olympic Gold Medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee Teams up with AstraZeneca to Raise Awareness about Opioid-Induced Constipation
May 20 2015 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
Joyner-Kersee "sets the record straight" about
OIC after her personal struggle with this uncomfortable
condition.
AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) and Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. today announced
that they have partnered with six-time Olympic medalist Jackie
Joyner-Kersee to increase awareness of opioid-induced constipation
(OIC).
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Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Photo: Business
Wire)
Joyner-Kersee speaks candidly about her struggle with OIC after
taking opioid medication prescribed by her healthcare provider to
help manage pain stemming from years of training to compete in the
Long Jump and Heptathlon that earned her three gold, one silver,
and two bronze Olympic medals at four different Olympic Games.
“While the opioids helped manage the pain, I noticed I became
constipated frequently – but I tried to ignore it,” said
Joyner-Kersee. “However, it was taking such an emotional and
physical toll that I finally had to work up the nerve to talk to my
healthcare provider, and it wasn’t until then that I learned I had
opioid-induced constipation or OIC. After coming to this
realization, I felt it important to work to raise awareness about
OIC alongside AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo. We encourage those
who may be impacted by OIC to talk to their healthcare provider and
visit www.ohisee.com, a community that helps OIC sufferers and
their caregivers better understand and manage this uncomfortable
condition.”
Joyner-Kersee is not alone in her symptoms. OIC is one of the
most commonly reported side effects of opioid therapy and can last
for the length of treatment. About 40 percent of patients in
clinical trials taking opioids developed this side effect. Symptoms
of OIC may include reduced bowel movement frequency, straining,
incomplete evacuation and hard or soft stools. People suffering
from OIC may also complain that they feel bloated or are
experiencing abdominal pain and have difficulty producing a bowel
movement. Sufferers may also feel like they need to use the
bathroom but are unable to pass a bowel movement.
“Due to the sensitive and personal nature of the condition, some
people may be reluctant to have a conversation about opioid-induced
constipation or OIC,” said Cathy Datto, US Medical Lead at
AstraZeneca. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Jackie and
grateful that she’s willing to share her story in an effort to
encourage others who may be struggling with OIC to seek support and
talk to their healthcare providers.”
If you think that you or someone you care for may be suffering
from OIC, talk to your healthcare provider. Please also visit
www.ohisee.com. Through personal stories, expert advice, and
educational resources, this community aims to help OIC sufferers
and their caregivers better understand and manage this
uncomfortable condition.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Jackie’s exceptional talent, ability, dedication and
determination led the way to her receiving a basketball scholarship
to the University of California Los Angeles, UCLA. Her standout
performances as a basketball player made an even greater impact on
her talent as a Track and Field star.
Today, Jackie is regarded as the Greatest Female Athlete of
all-time; Sports Illustrated for Woman voted Jackie the best Female
Athlete of the 20th century; ESPN named her one of the 50 Greatest
Athletes of all-time. Jackie is the first woman to win back-to-back
gold medals in the Heptathlon; she is the first woman to score
7,000 points in the Heptathlon and the first woman to win an
Olympic Gold in the Long Jump. Having competed in 4 consecutive
Olympics, Jackie won 3 gold medals, 1 silver and 2 bronze.
Additional accolades include: Winner of the Jessie Owens Award;
Sullivan Award; Volunteers of America Humanitarian Award, the
Trumpet; and CORE Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She is also the
recipient of six honorary doctorates.
Her vision to open the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center was realized
in 2000. The center provides educational and recreational
activities to thousands of families, youth and adults by providing
after-school tutoring, youth sports leagues, nutrition and health
education, and fitness and meals for seniors. Her
autobiography, A Kind of Grace, has become a part of her
motivational presentations which she delivers throughout the
country as one of the great motivational speakers in the Speakers
Circuit. Her goal is to bring awareness and raise funds for
causes and initiatives she is passionate about.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical
business that focuses on the discovery, development and
commercialization of prescription medicines, primarily for the
treatment of cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, inflammation,
autoimmune, oncology, infection and neuroscience diseases.
AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative
medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more
information please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com.
About Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.
Daiichi Sankyo Group is dedicated to the creation and supply of
innovative pharmaceutical products to address the diversified,
unmet medical needs of patients in both mature and emerging
markets. While maintaining its portfolio of marketed
pharmaceuticals for hypertension, dyslipidemia and bacterial
infections used by patients around the world, the Group has also
launched treatments for thrombotic disorders and is building new
product franchises. Furthermore, Daiichi Sankyo research and
development is focused on bringing forth novel therapies in
oncology and cardiovascular-metabolic diseases, including
biologics. Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., headquartered in Parsippany,
New Jersey, is a member of the Daiichi Sankyo Group. For more
information on Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., please
visit www.dsi.com.
3119909 Last Updated 5/15
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AstraZenecaMedia Inquiries USMichele Meixell, +1 302 885
2677orShannon Oates-Rivera, +1 302 885 1457mob: +1 610 883 0599
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