Press Releases

Contacts:
Katie Pandes, Union Bank 415.765.2617
Danielle Gibbs, Union Bank 213.236.5841

Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team's Justin England Joins Stationary Cycling Fundraiser to Support the Fight Against Cancer Leading Up to the 2007 Amgen Tour of California

PedalFest Invites the Public to Ride Stationary Bikes and Raise Money for “Breakaway from Cancer”

LONG BEACH (January 31, 2007) – Long Beach residents can use their pedal power to support the fight against cancer during PedalFest 2007. PedalFest – an Amgen Tour of California professional road cycling race pre-event – is a unique, stationary cycling fundraiser in which miles pedaled will earn matched dollars for Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer™ initiative, which raises awareness and funds for cancer patients and their caregivers.

A solid stage racer who excels in the mountains, Justin England of Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team, will join local residents as they “pedal their way” to raise money and awareness aboard stationary bikes. The event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 3, at Union Bank of California’s Naples Branch, located at 5430 East 2nd Street in Long Beach, Calif.

For a five dollar minimum donation, individuals are invited to ride a stationary bike for five minutes. Union Bank of California, AEG and the Amgen Tour of California will each donate one dollar for every mile ridden that day to support Breakaway from Cancer™.

“Cancer touches not only the person who is sick, but also their entire network of family and friends,” said Ellen Stovall, president and CEO, National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. “The goal of Breakaway from Cancer is to provide resources and support to cancer survivors and their caregivers, so they have the knowledge they need to effectively manage and navigate the disease.”

“We believe that it is important to contribute to the well-being of our community, and hope that others will join us in support of this important cause,” said Senior Vice President George Ramirez, who is in charge of Union Bank’s branches in Southern California.

PedalFest 2007 is organized by Union Bank of California and AEG, and is affiliated with the Amgen Tour of California, the professional cycling stage race that attracted 1.3 million attendees throughout the state in 2006. Events also were held at Union Bank of California branches in San Francisco (January 25) and Solvang (January 27).

“The support The Wellness Community and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship receive from the Breakaway from Cancer initiative allows us to continue the services we offer patients and their loved ones,” said Kim Thiboldeaux, president and CEO of The Wellness Community.

The 2007 Amgen Tour of California will take place February 18 through 25, featuring 18 world-class teams competing across 650 miles of California roadway. Long Beach will host the grand finale of the eight-stage race beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25. Sponsored by Amgen, the final stage includes part of the famous Long Beach Grand Prix course used for CART race cars, meaning a legacy of roads that are wide and fast. Views of San Pedro Bay and the Pacific Ocean will be visible for the entire course, with a backdrop of the famed Queen Mary in the bay. For more information, visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.