Press Releases
AMGEN SPONSORS 2010 BOB COOK MEMORIAL MT. EVANS HILL CLIMB TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FUNDS FOR BREAKAWAY FROM CANCER®
LONGMONT, CO (Jun 28, 2010) - Amgen has signed on as a lead sponsor of the 45th annual Bob Cook Memorial Mt. Evans Hill Climb cycling race, which is presented by Team Evergreen Racing and will take place Saturday, July 24, beginning near Idaho Springs, CO.
The sponsorship provides Amgen an opportunity to expand its Breakaway from Cancer® initiative, which aims to increase awareness of the important resources available to people affected by cancer - from prevention through survivorship. Cyclists who register to participate in the 2010 Mt. Evans Hill Climb race will be encouraged to raise funds for the four non-profit cancer support organizations that benefit from the Breakaway from Cancer initiative.
Breakaway from Cancer represents a partnership between Amgen and four national, nonprofit organizations dedicated to empowering patients with education, resources and hope. The Breakaway from Cancer partners collectively offer people affected by cancer with a broad range of support services, complementing those provided by a patient’s team of healthcare professionals.
A Breakaway from Cancer booth will be set up in the festival area at the Mt. Evans Hill Climb after-party in Idaho Springs on July 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., to share information about the free services provided by the Breakaway from Cancer partner organizations: Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community, Patient Advocate Foundation and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.
“Amgen, which has manufacturing operations in the Longmont/Boulder region, welcomes the opportunity to support the Bob Cook Memorial Mt. Evans Hill Climb and to reach new audiences with the message that one person alone can’t beat cancer, it takes a team.” said Kathryn West, director of advocacy for Amgen Oncology. “The Breakaway from Cancer nonprofit partners are a team of problem solvers here to help you fight cancer, whether you are interested in prevention, facing a new diagnosis, caring for a loved one, or struggling with financial issues,” West added.
“We are thrilled to be partners this year with an organization that is so committed to the cancer community,” said David Newcomer, Mt. Evans Hill Climb race director. “The Mt. Evan’s Hill Climb is a memorial to Bob Cook, a former bicycle racer and five-time Mt. Evans race winner who succumbed to cancer in 1981 at the age of 23. Bob would be pleased to know that his namesake race is raising awareness and funds for cancer support organizations.”
The race, founded in 1962, climbs Mount Evans and covers a 28 mile course; an 11.1 mile course is offered for junior division cyclists. The Mt. Evans Hill Climb takes place on the highest paved road in the United States. The race starts at 7,540 feet in front of the Clear Creek Middle School and proceeds to Echo Lake where the race turns and climbs nearly to the summit (14,130 feet). Over the years, the race has attracted significant professional riders. The race is also supported by volunteers from the Colorado cycling community who help marshal, drive support, officiate and work the after-party. The race includes categories for all levels of racing and encourages riders of all abilities. For more information or to register, visit www.bicyclerace.com
About Breakaway from Cancer
Founded in 2005 by Amgen as a complementary component to the company's title sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California, Breakaway from Cancer® is designed to help empower people affected by cancer. Breakaway from Cancer supports the services of four nonprofit organizations: Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community (formerly knows as The Wellness Community), Patient Advocate Foundation and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. For more information, please visit www.breakawayfromcancer.com.
About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures 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 and 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 broad and deep pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about Amgen's pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.
CONTACT:
Amgen Media Relations:
Diana Sherman-Palmer (Amgen Colorado): 303-401-2046
Mary Klem, (Amgen headquarters): 805-447-6979
Mt. Evans Hill Climb Race Director
David Newcomer, evanshillclimb@me.com
