Amgen’s 'Breakaway from Cancer' awareness initiative: Cycling News
Amgen Oncology is an ardent supporter of the Cycling event. In recognition to the cancer patients battling through the disease, Amgen took an initiative namely ‘Breakaway from Cancer’ at the 2011 Amgen Tour of California. The Amgen’s
‘Breakaway from Cancer’ is actually a national awareness initiative to the significant resources available to those suffering from the terminal illness.
Amgen Oncology’s Vice President and General Manager, Stuart Arbuckle, was evidently interested in an event for their company’s cause and efforts for the betterment of human kind.
Arbuckle said, “Amgen is proud to be part of the Amgen Tour of California, which is helping advance the popularity of cycling in America while also helping increase awareness of the resources that are available to those affected by
cancer,”
The ‘Breakaway from Cancer’ is a mutual alliance between Amgen Oncology and four non-profit organisations to support the cancer patients by providing the necessary education and giving them the hope to survive.
Five California-based cancer patients have been selected through a public mandate and online voting that took place earlier in 2011, as the inspirational ‘Breakaway from Cancer’ Champions. Their nomination was in recognition to their
efforts which made a difference for the others affected by the disease in their respective communities.
From North Lake Tahoe, Stuart Jed was selected, who is a ‘Pancreatic Cancer’ patient. He strived to raise awareness and promoted research and legislation for the disease by speaking at local gathering and fundraisers.
From Sacramento, an ‘Acute Myeloid Leukemia’ survivor, Prakashni Shandil was selected, who is a local role-model for those battling against cancer. Prakashni has been actively participating in guiding other cancer patients in light
of her own personal experience. She is considered a valuable local resource in guiding patients with regards to blood and bone-marrow transplants.
Modesto based ‘Breast Cancer’ survivor, Leona Delos Reyes, is also a part of the league being a dominating member of the Modesto Cancer community. Reyes was diagnosed back in 1990, and ever since she has been participating in fundraisers
and volunteering to give others the inspiration to live.
A ‘Brain Cancer’ survivor from Paso Robles, Deleena Rankin has been a mentor for perseverance, faith, hope and determination motivating everybody around her community.
She was sorrowfully left with limited eye-sight after being diagnosed in November last year, but she is still committed to cycling, making this sport as a ladder for her strong build-up and now titled as the ‘Breakaway from Cancer’
Champion.
Finally, from Thousand Oaks, Reine Wiley is the fifth cancer patient, a survivor of ‘Neuroendocrine Cancer’. She was diagnosed shortly before the last year’s edition of the Amgen Tour of California and she demonstrated a strong zeal
to continue the cycling sport while undergoing treatment.
The five ‘Breakaway from Cancer’ Champions will walk approximately one-mile while celebrating to the cancer survivors and shall cross the finish-line just before the race-stage wraps up.
The five cities designated to host the ‘Breakaway Mile-walk’ are the native lands of each Champion. Each ‘Breakaway Mile-walk’ shall also be accompanied by the pharmacists and scientists contributing crucially in the development of
the breakthrough cure medications in the field of cancer.
“A magnet for cycling clubs throughout the golden state, Livermore is a destination that promises a variety of exciting viewing spots,” said the Mayor of Livermore, Marshall Kamena.
Mayor Kamenais also nominated to start of the stage four of the event, being a cancer survivor himself, on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 in Livermore‘s Wine country.
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