Lance Armstrong Foundation, Fertile Hope and Cryogenic Laboratories, Inc. Launch Live:On, a First-of-Its-Kind Sperm Banking by Mail Kit for Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients

Live:On Kit Ensures That Male Cancer Patients Everywhere Have Access to Fertility Preservation Prior to Chemotherapy, Radiation or Surgery


NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - November 13, 2007) - Over 35,000 young men are diagnosed with cancer every year and 90% of these patients are at risk for infertility from their cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Live:On, a new sperm banking by mail kit developed in collaboration with the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Fertile Hope and Cryogenic Laboratories, Inc., provides an immediate, easy and private way for these patients to bank their sperm before starting sterilizing treatments.

The new kit allows patients from anywhere in the contiguous United States to bank their sperm from home or the hospital, which can mean fewer delays in cancer treatments. In addition to being available directly to patients, the kit will be exclusively distributed for free to oncology healthcare professionals including physicians, nurses and social workers. These professionals will then be able to distribute the kit to interested patients at the time of diagnosis -- maximizing the patients' chances of being able to preserve their fertility and go on to become parents after cancer.

"Currently, numerous states do not have sperm banks, which presents a significant barrier to accessing important fertility preservation technologies. The Live:On kit provides immediate access for patients everywhere and ensures that recently diagnosed cancer patients have the opportunity to preserve their chances to have a family later in life," said Amy Erickson Hagen, Executive From CLI.

"Approximately 80% of cancer patients ages 20-40 are treated in community hospitals, which can be far from the metropolitan areas where most sperm banks are located. Without immediate access to sperm banking, patients and their oncologists are often faced with the question: Should we delay treatment so that fertility can be preserved? The Live:On kit presents a new option for those even in the most remote locations and helps ensure that this question is never a consideration," continued Lindsay Beck, Founder and Executive Director of Fertile Hope.

In addition to patients, the Live:On kit helps oncologists and oncology nurses comply with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines on fertility preservation, which suggests that all patients be informed of their fertility risks as early in treatment planning as possible and notes sperm banking as the most successful fertility preservation option for men.

"As a doctor, my oath is to do no harm. As an oncologist, my priority is to cure cancer. As a cancer survivor, my focus is quality of life. The Live:On kit allows me to deliver on all three," said Brandon Hayes-Lattin, MD; Assistant Professor of Medicine, OHSU Cancer Institute; Medical Chair, LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance and 9 year testicular cancer survivor.

A percentage of the sperm banking and long-term storage fees will be donated back to Fertile Hope and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. This money will help the organizations continue to meet the critical needs of cancer survivors.

For more information or to order kits please call (800) 466-2796 or visit www.liveonkit.com.

ABOUT THE LANCE ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION

The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) unites people to fight cancer, believing that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything. We provide the practical information and tools people battling cancer need to live life on their own terms. We take aim at the gap between what is known and what is done to prevent death and suffering due to cancer. We engage the public at large to pursue an agenda focused on preventing cancer, ensuring access to screening and care, improving the quality of life for people affected by cancer, and investing in needed research. Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the LAF is located in Austin, Texas. UNITE at www.livestrong.org

ABOUT FERTILE HOPE

Fertile Hope is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing reproductive information, support and hope to cancer patients whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility. In addition to robust programs in areas of awareness, education and support, Fertile Hope operates the only fertility preservation financial assistance program for cancer patients, including a program for men to help reduce the cost of sperm banking. For more information, to apply for financial assistance or to make a donation, please visit www.fertilehope.org or call (888) 994-HOPE.

ABOUT CRYOGENIC LABORATORIES INCORPORATED

Cryogenic Laboratories, Inc. (CLI) was established as the first private sperm bank in the country in the early 1970s. For over 30 years CLI has remained a leader in the industry through our unwavering commitment to excellence in medical science, advancements in cryobanking and genuine concern for the reproductive aspirations of our clients -- present and future. CLI has protected the reproductive future of patients through careful application of cryopreservation and the maintenance of semen in a frozen state over extended periods of time. CLI is one of the few cryobanks in the country that is inspected and accredited by the prestigious American Association of Tissue Banks. Having passed rigorous inspections of every aspect of our operations from semen acquisition and storage practices to quality control, quality assurance and record keeping, we are dedicated to the safety and protection of our patients' assets. Our certifications include:

--  An Inspected and Licensed Semen Bank, New York State Department of
    Health.
--  Licensed as a tissue bank laboratory by the Maryland State Department
    of Health.
--  Licensed tissue bank by the California Department of Health.
--  A federally inspected CLIA-certified laboratory.
    

Our staff is highly experienced, processing thousands of specimens annually. For more information, call (800) 466-2796 or go to www.cryolab.com.

Contact Information: Media Contacts: Kate Larkin 201-255-0544