SOURCE: Amgen

January 10, 2008 09:00 ET

Breakaway from Cancer Public Service Announcement Spreads Support and Hope

Patrick Dempsey Delivers Inspirational Message

THOUSAND OAKS, CA--(Marketwire - January 10, 2008) - In an ongoing effort to raise awareness and support for free services and programs that help people affected by cancer, Amgen today announced television and film actor Patrick Dempsey appears in a public service announcement supporting the Breakaway from Cancer™ initiative.

Amgen created Breakaway from Cancer in 2005 as a complementary component to its sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California, an annual world-class cycling event that takes place in February. Designed to help empower people affected by cancer, the Breakaway from Cancer initiative supports the services of two nonprofit organizations -- The Wellness Community (TWC), an international non-profit organization dedicated to providing free support, education and hope to people affected by cancer, and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), the oldest survivor-led cancer advocacy organization in the country. Now in its third year, the Breakaway from Cancer initiative continues to help those touched by cancer take an active role in their recovery and find the tools they need to live well with -- and beyond -- the disease.

Beginning this month, Dempsey is featured in the Breakaway from Cancer public service announcement that seeks to educate and empower those affected by cancer, reminding them that they don't need to go through the experience alone. As Dempsey explains in the public service announcement, "one person alone does not beat cancer," something he and his family learned through personal experience.

"My mother is a two-time ovarian cancer survivor and I know first hand how dealing with cancer can impact someone's life," said Dempsey. "I hope that by being part of the Breakaway from Cancer initiative, people will be inspired to seek the support they need from the wide array of free resources and services."

The Breakaway from Cancer public service announcement will air on television and radio stations throughout the nation, and on www.breakawayfromcancer.com, beginning in early January.

"An important part in cancer survival is educating yourself through credible and accurate resources," said Ellen Stovall, 36-year cancer survivor and president and CEO, National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. "Thanks to Breakaway from Cancer, we're educating people and making tools easily accessible to everyone."

Breakaway from Cancer Charity Ride

To raise awareness and funds for people affected by cancer, a Breakaway from Cancer charity bicycle ride will take place in Palo Alto, Calif. on Sunday, February 10. The ride will encompass a moderate 25-mile course and finish line activities. Participants will have the opportunity to meet professional cyclist and Amgen Tour of California stage winner George Hincapie. Interested riders can register by visiting www.breakawayfromcancer.com.

Breakaway Miles During the Amgen Tour of California

"For more than 26 years, Amgen has tapped the power of pioneering science and innovation to discover and develop vital medicines to help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses," said Cynthia Schwalm, vice president and general manager, Amgen Oncology. "That's why Amgen is proud to sponsor the Amgen Tour of California again in its third year as a vehicle to further empower cancer patients and their families with education and hope through the Breakaway from Cancer initiative."

Similar to professional cycling where it takes a solid support team to help a rider breakaway from the pack, it takes a strong support network to help a person breakaway from cancer. In honor of cancer survivors everywhere, Amgen created the Breakaway Mile -- a one-mile bike ride that takes place at the finish line of the Amgen Tour of California, prior to the stage conclusion of the professional race. The Breakaway Mile will take place in four 2008 race host cities including Santa Rosa, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo and Santa Clarita. Each Breakaway Mile will feature a local cancer survivor and an Amgen scientist who plays a crucial role in developing breakthrough medicines.

"Thanks to awareness initiatives like Breakaway from Cancer, patients and their caregivers feel empowered to seek out resources, like those provided at The Wellness Community and other organizations, to help them take an active role in their cancer experience," said Kim Thiboldeaux, president and CEO, The Wellness Community.

More information about the Breakaway from Cancer initiative and the valuable services and programs offered by The Wellness Community and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship is available at www.breakawayfromcancer.com.

About Breakaway from Cancer

Founded in 2005, Breakaway from Cancer™ is a complementary component to the Amgen race sponsorship. Breakaway from Cancer continues to raise awareness and funds to support valuable services and programs, provided free of charge, that help people living with cancer. Last year, through the Breakaway from Cancer initiative, Amgen raised more than $1 million to support The Wellness Community, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free support, education and hope for all people affected by cancer. This year, the initiative will support the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, the oldest survivor-led cancer advocacy organization in the country, and The Wellness Community, an international non-profit dedicated to providing support, education, and hope to people with cancer and their loved ones. Learn more at www.breakawayfromcancer.com.

About Amgen

Amgen discovers, develops 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, 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 deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.

About The Wellness Community

The Wellness Community is an international organization dedicated to providing support, education and hope to people with cancer and their loved ones. Through participation in free professionally-led support groups, educational workshops, nutrition and exercise programs, and stress reduction classes, people affected by cancer learn vital skills that enable them to regain control, reduce isolation and restore hope regardless of the stage of their disease. The Wellness Community provides support, education and hope for people affected by cancer at over 100 locations worldwide including 25 U.S. based and 2 international centers with 73 satellite and off-site programs and online at www.thewellnesscommunity.org. For more information please visit www.thewellnesscommunity.org or call 1.888.793.WELL.

About the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) is oldest survivor-led cancer advocacy organization in the country and a highly respected authentic voice at the federal level, advocating for quality cancer care for all Americans and empowering cancer survivors. NCCS believes in evidence-based advocacy for changes at the federal level in how the nation researches, regulates, finances and delivers quality cancer care. In 2004, NCCS launched Cancer Advocacy Now!™, a legislative advocacy network that seeks to involve people from across the country in federal cancer-related issues. Patient education is also a priority of NCCS. They believe that access to credible and accurate patient information, such as NCCS's award-winning Cancer Survival Toolbox® is key to demanding and receiving quality cancer care. For more information about NCCS, its advocacy and patient education materials, please visit www.canceradvocacy.org or call 1.877.NCCS.YES.