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"THE
FIGHT TO ACE CANCER"
Cancer
survivor Corina Morariu returns at full-strength to US Open
competition
Nutley, New Jersey (August 22, 2003) - Hoffmann-La
Roche (Roche) today announced its plans to kick off a new
cancer research fundraiser, "The Fight to Ace Cancer,"
during this year's US Open Tennis Championships beginning
August 25th in Flushing, NY. The highlight of the event will
be the participation of cancer survivor Corina Morariu, who
will be making her return to the tournament at full-strength
after battling acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). For every
ace that Corina serves during the tournament, Roche will donate
$1,000 to Friends of Cancer Research to help advance programs
aimed at the treatment and prevention of cancer.
"Roche is committed to cancer research and treatment
innovation and we couldn't think of a better person to represent
this program than Corina Morariu," said Lars Birgerson,
M.D., Ph.D. Vice President, Medical Affairs at Roche. "Corina
is a true survivor and the inspiration behind Fight to Ace
Cancer. We hope to not only raise awareness of the triumphs
and struggles of people living with cancer, but also to emphasize
the importance of cancer research."
Just one year after she reached the status of No. 1 women's
doubles player in the world and two years after winning the
Wimbledon doubles championship with Lindsay Davenport, Corina
- at age 23 - was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia
(APL). A rare form of leukemia resulting in a malignancy of
bone marrow, Corina was forced to put her tennis career on
hold and undergo intense chemotherapy treatment. Amazingly,
Corina went into remission within 14 months of her diagnosis
and start of therapy, and, since then, she has become an advocate
for cancer research and education throughout the country.
She is dedicating her play in this year's US Open to cancer
survivors and their families.
"I owe my life to the efforts of people who raise
money for cancer research and to pharmaceutical companies
like Roche who develop innovative medicines. I am finally
back playing competition tennis this year and want to do everything
I can to help other cancer survivors," said Morariu.
"If it weren't for the generosity of others, I wouldn't
be here today continuing to play tennis and living out my
dreams. So, I'm proud to be part of the Fight to Ace Cancer."
"We are honored to partner with Corina and Roche in a
unique collaboration that underscores the critical need to
support cancer research," said Ellen V. Sigal, PhD, Chairperson
of Friends of Cancer Research, a not-for-profit located in
Washington DC that provides public education on cancer research
in order to accelerate national progress towards cancer prevention
and treatment. "Fight to Ace Cancer will assist our public
awareness and funding efforts while celebrating the courage
of an extraordinary young athlete for whom innovative cancer
research has spelled hope and a return to competitive tennis,"
Dr. Sigal added.
For information about Friends of Cancer Research, please call
202.944.6711 or visit www.focr.org.
About
Roche
Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. (Roche), based in Nutley, N.J., is
the U.S. prescription drug unit of the Roche Group, a leading
research-based health care enterprise that ranks among the
world's top leaders in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche
discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets numerous important
prescription drugs that enhance people's health, well-being
and quality of life. Through its commitment to innovation
and research, Roche has become a global leader in Oncology.
The company's other areas of therapeutic interest are: dermatology;
genitourinary disease; infectious diseases, including influenza;
inflammation, including arthritis and osteoporosis; metabolic
diseases, including obesity and diabetes; neurology; transplantation;
vascular diseases; and virology, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis
C.
For more information on the Roche pharmaceuticals business
in the United States, visit the company's web site at: www.rocheusa.com.
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