Contest Provides Cancer Survivors an Opportunity to Say Thank You

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 16, 2006--Cancer survivors now have a unique opportunity to thank their cancer coach -- the spouse, family member or friend who played a crucial role in helping them through the battle -- through a contest sponsored by Amgen Oncology. Starting today, cancer patients can nominate their "cancer coach" at www.ChemoCoach.com by completing and submitting a short essay.

Amgen Oncology is supporting the fight against cancer on multiple fronts including serving as a major sponsor of the College Hoops Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer. The Classic kicks off the 2006-2007 college basketball season and teams Amgen Oncology with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. The Coaches vs. Cancer program, created by the NABC and American Cancer Society, has raised more than $25 million to support cancer patients since its inception in 1993.

In conjunction with the sponsorship, Amgen Oncology also recruited Dick Vitale -- the voice of college basketball -- to help spread the word about the ChemoCoach(TM) program, a valuable and free resource for cancer patients and caregivers.

"Check out ChemoCoach.com if you´re currently undergoing chemotherapy or helping a family member or friend through it," said Vitale. "And if a loved one played a huge role in supporting your fight with cancer, then nominate them for the My Cancer Coach contest. All cancer coaches are big time winners but two will receive a trip for two to New York City and tickets to the final round of next year´s College Hoops Classic."

At www.ChemoCoach.com, visitors can also register to receive an educational email series, which is a free support program that delivers small doses of powerful information to help cancer patients and their caregivers better manage the chemotherapy journey. The site also acts as the gateway to additional resources and information.

"In addition to doctors and nurses, we know that a cancer coach can be a well-informed and active member of a cancer patient´s support team," said Cynthia Schwalm, vice president and general manager of Amgen Oncology. "Through the ChemoCoach program we help patients and their friends and family members prepare for and manage side effects of chemotherapy, ask the right questions of their doctors and much more."

The championship round of this year´s College Hoops Classic is taking place in New York City on November 16th and 17th. Additional information about the "My Cancer Coach" contest including an official entry form and a complete list of rules are available at www.ChemoCoach.com. The entry deadline is February 28, 2007.

About Amgen

Amgen discovers, develops 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 broad and deep 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 www.amgen.com.

EDITOR´S NOTE: An electronic version of this news release may be accessed via our Web site at www.amgen.com. Journalists and media representatives may sign up to receive all news releases electronically at time of announcement by filling out a short form in the Media section of the Web site.

CONTACT: Amgen Ashleigh Koss, 805-313-6151 (media) SOURCE: Amgen