LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Bristol-Myers Squibb is challenging other corporations to join in the fundraising effort for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation of Central & South Jersey to address the urgent and dramatic funding deficit resulting from the cancellation of the Race for the Cure.
On October 16, the Race for the Cure, which attracts more than 20,000 runners and generates more than $1,000,000 for the Komen Foundation in central and southern New Jersey, was cancelled for the first time in its history because of severe and dangerous weather conditions. The Komen Foundation is at least $500,000 short of needed funds as a result of the cancellation. Major sponsor Bristol-Myers Squibb immediately pledged a grant of $25,000 and is urging other corporations to contribute on behalf of breast cancer patients throughout New Jersey.
“We believe very strongly in the important work that the Komen Foundation does here in New Jersey, and urge corporations and individuals to pledge as much as they would have donated on Race Day,” said Frank C. Pasqualone, senior vice president, Oncology, Bristol-Myers Squibb.
New Jersey has the fourth highest incidence rate of breast cancer in the United States. One-third of all diagnoses are late-stage breast cancer, a stage at which survival rates are significantly lower than in those patients who are diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. The mission of the Central & South Jersey Affiliate of the Komen Foundation is to increase early diagnosis and treatment and thus increase survival.
Most of the funds raised by the Race for the Cure remain in New Jersey, and are distributed to organizations that provide breast health education, screening and treatment directly to underserved or uninsured populations across the 13-county service area from Hunterdon, Somerset and Middlesex counties south to Salem, Cumberland and Cape May counties.
Komen Foundation Executive Director Nancy Healey said, “The greatest impact of the cancellation is felt not by the runners on Race Day, but by the hospitals and non-profit organizations that are the recipients of the monies raised that day. Given the significant gap in fundraising, vital programs that have historically offered life-saving screenings and information are now in jeopardy.”
The Komen Foundation and Bristol-Myers Squibb urge everyone who was involved or would have participated in the Race -- corporations, teams of runners, individuals, women with breast cancer, survivors, families, volunteers -- to donate to the cause of breast cancer in New Jersey.
To donate online, go to http://njraceforthecure.kintera.org/2005 or contact the Komen Foundation of Central and Southern New Jersey at 609-896-1201.
About the Susan G. Komen Foundation
The 2004 Komen NJ Race for the Cure(R) distributed almost $1 million to grants and programs in its 13-county service area of central and south New Jersey. The Central & South Jersey Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation was established in 2004 to better serve New Jersey residents.
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at age 36. The Foundation is an international organization with a network of volunteers working to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening, and treatment through local affiliates and Komen Race for the Cure(R) events.
About Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global pharmaceutical and related health care products company whose mission is to extend and enhance human life. With central New Jersey serving as host to the largest concentration of Bristol- Myers Squibb employees and facilities in the world, the company is committed to giving back to its New Jersey communities in a variety of ways, including philanthropic grants, employee service on community, governmental and non- profit boards and as volunteers for worthwhile causes. These activities reflect the company’s pledge to be a conscientious citizen, lending support to worthwhile causes and constructive action.
Bristol-Myers Squibb; Komen Foundation of Central & South Jersey
CONTACT: Nancy Healey of Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Central& South Jersey Affiliate, +1-609-896-1201; or Jayne O’Connor ofBristol-Myers Squibb, +1-609-252-5120
