News Posts List

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kidney Cancer Association

CONTACT NAME: Carrie Konosky

PHONE NUMBER: 847-655-4495 x104

EMAIL ADDRESS: ckonosky@kidneycancer.org

Eric Perakslis, Kidney Cancer Association Board Member,

Selected to Participate in Premiere

LIVESTRONG® Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland

First-ever event to bring together world leaders, advocates and corporations from

more than 60 countries to address the global cancer burden

Evanston, US – July 17, 2009 – Today the Kidney Cancer Association (KCA) announced that board member, Eric Perakslis, will represent the organization at the premiere LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland, August 24 - 26. The Summit is the landmark event of the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign, an effort of the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF). Perakslis will represent the organization’s commitment to fight cancer globally and has been working most recently with the King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan to engage with world media, political leaders, representatives of non-governmental organizations and corporate leadership.

“The Kidney Cancer Association is fortunate to have a board member like Eric working on such a critical project in the global fight against this horrible disease’ said, William Bro, KCA CEO.  “We are very fortunate that his professional and personal passions have given him an opportunity to be a part of such an amazing event, and are grateful to have him represent the KCA while he is attending the Summit.”

 “Cancer is a major public health problem that affects every country in every region of the world regardless of economic and social situation,” said Lance Armstrong, LAF founder and chairman, cancer survivor and champion cyclist. “Through collective action, we will make a renewed commitment to reducing the burden of cancer around the world and break down the stigma and silence too often associated with the disease.”

In September 2008, Armstrong announced the Foundation’s commitment to making cancer a global priority at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in New York.  The LAF made this commitment after its worldwide research, conducted over 18 months, revealed widespread misconceptions, stigma and lack of awareness associated with cancer. 

In response, the LAF established the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign to urgently address the burden of cancer worldwide and support the 28 million people living with cancer around the globe.  Cancer kills more people every year than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined.  It is estimated that cancer will be the leading cause of death worldwide by 2010.

With such staggering statistics, the LAF recognized that a global challenge like cancer required a global movement.  And so it began urging world leaders, leading cancer organizations and cancer survivors to join together by making commitments to take action in their communities to reduce the burden of cancer.

The Kidney Cancer Association is looking forward to Eric’s participation in the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland from August 24-26, 2009 and helping to make the case for acting urgently to address the global cancer burden.

Unlike other conferences and forums, the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit is unique in that it will kick off a unified global movement while providing attendees the opportunity to connect with other advocates, network, gain media exposure and access tools and resources to help them mobilize in their own communities. Speakers include honorary Summit chair and former Irish President Mary Robinson, Irish Cancer Chief Professor Tom Keane, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta as well as representatives from the World Health Organization and other global bodies.

For more information on the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign and the Summit, please visit www.LIVESTRONG.org.

About the Lance Armstrong Foundation

At the Lance Armstrong Foundation, we fight for the 28 million people around the world living with cancer today. There can be – and should be – life after cancer for more people. That’s why we kick in at the moment of diagnosis, giving people the resources and support they need to fight cancer head-on. We find innovative ways to raise awareness, fund research and end the stigma about cancer that many survivors face. We connect people and communities to drive social change, and we call for state, national and world leaders to help fight this disease. Anyone anywhere can join our fight against cancer. Join us at www.LIVESTRONG.org.

About the Kidney Cancer Association

The Kidney Cancer Association (KCA) is a charitable organization made up of patients, family members, physicians, researchers, and other health professionals globally. We fund, promote, and collaborate with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), American Urological Association (AUA), and other institutions on research projects.  We educate families and physicians, and serve as an advocate on behalf of patients at the state and federal levels.  For more information, please visit www.kidneycancer.org.

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