Breakaway From Cancer(R) Launches Newly-Enhanced Website Offering Comprehensive, Tailored Support for Cancer Patients

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., March 3, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

As part of its ongoing mission to serve cancer patients, Amgen's Breakaway from Cancer(R) initiative announced the launch of its enhanced website that provides cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers a 'one-stop shop' of essential resources spanning cancer prevention, education, patient care, advocacy, and financial support.

The website, http://www.breakawayfromcancer.com/, features a powerful new cancer resource navigator tool developed to help cancer patients maneuver through the complicated maze of online information that currently exists. The tool conducts a targeted search based on user-entered criteria from more than 100 hand-selected credible cancer websites to offer patients the information they need.

"Many valuable cancer resources exist, but it is sometimes hard for patients to identify what information applies to them," says Stuart Arbuckle, vice president and general manager, Amgen Oncology. "The enhanced Breakaway from Cancer website pulls information from credible sources and provides a support system and the necessary tools to help patients find exactly the resources they need in their fight against this devastating disease."

Breakaway from Cancer represents a partnership between Amgen and four nonprofit organizations to raise awareness of the broad range of support services available to patients and caregivers to complement those provided by healthcare professionals.

The newly-enhanced website also provides detailed information on the resources and assistance offered by the Breakaway from Cancer nonprofit partners: Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community (formerly known as The Wellness Community), Patient Advocate Foundation, and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. Patients are now also able to share and read inspirational stories from across the nation and keep up with the latest news and events from Breakaway from Cancer.

"Nearly everyone has been touched by cancer and felt the burden of this disease; however, far fewer individuals are aware of the full spectrum of help available," said Carolyn R. Aldige, president and founder, Prevent Cancer Foundation. "We are proud to team up with Breakaway from Cancer to offer consolidated resources like those on the new website to support patients."

About Breakaway from Cancer(R)

Founded in 2005 by Amgen as a complementary component to the company's title sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California, Breakaway from Cancer is designed to help empower people affected by cancer. Breakaway from Cancer supports the services of four nonprofit organizations: Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community (formerly known as The Wellness Community), Patient Advocate Foundation, and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. For more information, please visit 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, 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, bone disease, 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 vital medicines, visit http://www.amgen.com/.

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SOURCE Amgen