LEWISTON, Maine and THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Amgen has signed on as the presenting sponsor of The Dempsey Challenge: A Journey for Hope, a cycling and 5K fundraising event scheduled for October 4 in Lewiston, Maine. The event supports The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center. The sponsorship provides an opportunity to expand Amgen's Breakaway from Cancer initiative, which aims to increase awareness of the important resources available to cancer patients from prevention to education, and patient care to advocacy and financial support. The program will be prominently integrated into The Dempsey Challenge through a Breakaway from Cancer parade recognizing, honoring, and celebrating cancer survivors. A Breakaway from Cancer Survivor Award will be presented by television and film actor Patrick Dempsey to a recipient who best represents the program's passion for survivorship; individuals will be nominated through The Dempsey Challenge web site. Additionally, a Breakaway from Cancer booth will be set up on site at The Dempsey Challenge's Health and Wellness Expo to share information about free programs and services available to people affected by cancer. "Amgen welcomes the opportunity to support The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing," said Stuart Arbuckle, vice president and general manager of Amgen's Oncology Business Unit. "We are pleased to once again partner with Patrick Dempsey, a respected advocate in the fight against cancer and a long-time supporter of Amgen's Breakaway from Cancer initiative, to help connect patients with the support they need in the fight against cancer." Dempsey Challenge participants may choose one of four cycling tours (10, 25, 50 and 100-mile distances) or a 5K (3.1 mile) run/walk. The event will serve as the primary fundraiser for the Dempsey Center, which provides free education programs and wellness services to cancer patients, families and caregivers. "My mom is a four-time ovarian cancer survivor and I know first hand how dealing with cancer can impact someone's life," said Patrick Dempsey. "I am pleased that Amgen has stepped up to sponsor the main fundraising event for the Dempsey Center, which provides free support, education and wellness services to cancer patients, survivors and caregivers, complementing Amgen's national Breakaway from Cancer efforts." Dempsey is scheduled to take part in the 50-mile tour along with pro cyclists George Hincapie, a five-time Olympian, and David Zabriskie, who holds the record for fastest time trial in Tour de France history. "We are thrilled to be partners with an organization that is equally committed to the cancer community," said Dempsey Challenge event manager Wendy Tardif. "Amgen's reputation for patient education and support parallels our own mission and provides us with the opportunity to heighten our visibility internationally. We feel confident we will be able to reach our fundraising goal." Although The Dempsey Challenge offers fundraising incentive opportunities for participants, no fundraising minimum is required. For more information, including an event schedule, registration tools and maps of event courses, please visit http://www.dempseychallenge.org/. About The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center Founded in March of 2008 by actor and Maine native, Patrick Dempsey, The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing provides free support, education and wellness services to enhance the quality of life of individuals, families and communities touched by cancer. The Dempsey Center strives to embrace the whole person including body, mind and spirit in a respectful, inclusive and healing environment. All of the Dempsey Center's services are provided free of charge and tax-deductible contributions are welcome. For more information, please visit http://www.dempseycenter.org/. About Breakaway from Cancer Founded by Amgen in 2005 as a complementary component to the company's sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California, Breakaway from Cancer strives to raise awareness of the important resources available to cancer patients from prevention to education, and patient care to advocacy and financial support. The initiative includes charitable partners the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, Patient Advocate Foundation, Prevent Cancer Foundation and The Wellness Community, and it also has joined forces with the Lance Armstrong Foundation and The Patrick Dempsey Center for Hope and Healing at Central Maine Medical Center. Learn more at http://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 deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit http://www.amgen.com/. CONTACT: Amgen Mary Klem, (media) Office: 805-447-6979 The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing And The Dempsey Challenge Chuck Gill, (media) Office: 207-795-2711 (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081023/BREAKAWAYLOGO) (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090908/DEMPSEYCHALLENGE) http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081023/BREAKAWAYLOGO http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090908/DEMPSEYCHALLENGE http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Amgen CONTACT: Mary Klem of Amgen, +1-805-447-6979; or Chuck Gill of The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing and The Dempsey Challenge, +1-207-795-2711

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