Released on: September 17, 2008, 8:25 am

Press Release Author: Hundreds Lend Support to National Effort

Industry: Healthcare

Press Release Summary: This year, hundreds of Minnesotans will join a national
effort in the fight against prostate cancer. On Saturday, September 27 at 9 a.m.,
the Fifth Annual Hartford PACE Race – which includes runners and walkers at all
fitness levels – will help support the mission of the Prostate Cancer Education
Council (PCEC) by raising awareness of prostate cancer. This event, which will take
place at scenic Lake Nokomis, is part of the PCEC’s national PACE Race Series, which
helps to educate men and their families on the importance of early detection.

Press Release Body: MINNEAPOLIS – This year, hundreds of Minnesotans will join a
national effort in the fight against prostate cancer. On Saturday, September 27 at
9 a.m., the Fifth Annual Hartford PACE Race – which includes runners and walkers at
all fitness levels – will help support the mission of the Prostate Cancer Education
Council (PCEC) by raising awareness of prostate cancer. This event, which will take
place at scenic Lake Nokomis, is part of the PCEC’s national PACE Race Series, which
helps to educate men and their families on the importance of early detection.

“Although prostate cancer is often treatable when caught early, it continues to take
the lives of thousands of men each year. Having lost my father to the disease, I
have made it my personal mission to help educate others about the importance of
early detection and screening,” said Mary Anderson, Race Director, Anderson Race
Management. “Fighting cancer requires community education and we are excited to be
a part of this PCEC event.”

The only race dedicated to prostate cancer awareness in Minnesota, The Hartford PACE
Race provides an opportunity for the whole family to join the fight, with a 5K
run/walk and a half mile kid’s race. Additionally, as part of their efforts to
raise greater prostate cancer awareness in Minneapolis, the PCEC and The Hartford
will provide gift bags for race participants and host a race-day prostate cancer
education booth where people can talk to a doctor and pick up informational
materials.

“Raising awareness about prostate cancer is extremely important to us, as the
disease currently affects more than 2 million American men,” said Wendy Poage,
President, Prostate Cancer Education Council. “With races throughout the country,
we have a real opportunity to touch men in all walks of life and educate them, and
their families, about this devastating disease.”

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer, other than skin cancers, in American men.
With a one in six lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer, estimates for 2008
indicate that more than 186,000 men will be diagnosed in the United States, and
nearly 28,700 will die from the disease. The second leading cause of cancer death
in American men, behind only lung cancer, prostate cancer is often treatable if
detected early.

U.S. marathon legend Bill Rodgers, the national spokesperson for the PACE Race
Series and a prostate cancer survivor, cannot stress the importance of screenings
enough. “It is my hope that all men at risk for prostate cancer are screened for
this deadly disease. It’s the best way to detect prostate cancer in its early
stages because there are no early warning signs or symptoms,” he said. “Even though
I began running again only four months after my tumor was removed, I continue to
receive regular screenings and advise other men to do the same.”

The PACE Race Series – sponsored by sanofi-aventis to benefit the PCEC – was
launched in 2002 to increase national awareness of prostate cancer. To learn more
about prostate cancer, the PACE Race Series or PCEC, please visit
www.prostateconditions.org.

About the PACE Race Series
Men, women, families, friends and neighbors – at all fitness levels – are invited to
participate in the PACE Race Series. This 5K run/walk series was launched in 2002
by the PCEC to increase awareness of prostate cancer and to educate men and their
families on the importance of early detection. With events across the country, the
PACE Race Series has the ability to touch men and women of all walks of life. For
more information please visit www.pacerace.org.

About the Prostate Cancer Education Council
A national organization committed to men’s health, the Prostate Cancer Education
Council (PCEC) is dedicated to saving lives through awareness and the education of
men, the women in their lives, as well as the medical community about prostate
cancer prevalence, the importance of early detection, and available treatment
options, as well as other men’s health issues. The Council – comprised of a
consortium of leading physicians, health educators, scientists and prostate cancer
advocates – aims to conduct nation wide screenings for men and perform research that
will aid in the detection and treatment of prostate cancer. More information is
available at www.prostateconditions.org.

About The Hartford
Dr. Craig Davidson of The Hartford commented, “The big story is the success in the
fight against prostate cancer. Two decades ago only one out of two men survived 10
years or more with prostate cancer. Today it is nine out of 10. This dramatic
success has been in part due to organizations like the PCEC increasing public
awareness of the importance of prostate cancer screening. As a result of this
success, The Hartford is able to offer affordable life insurance to many prostate
cancer survivors. This is The Hartford’s second year sponsoring this race and we
couldn’t be more delighted with this partnership.” For more information please
visit www.thehartford.com.

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Web Site: http://www.prostateconditions.org

Contact Details: 1025 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 1200 Washington, DC 20005
(202) 742-5257