NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - November 13, 2007) - Over 35,000 young men are diagnosed with
cancer every year and 90% of these patients are at risk for infertility
from their cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
Live:On, a new sperm banking by mail kit developed in collaboration with
the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Fertile Hope and Cryogenic Laboratories,
Inc., provides an immediate, easy and private way for these patients to
bank their sperm before starting sterilizing treatments.
The new kit allows patients from anywhere in the contiguous United States
to bank their sperm from home or the hospital, which can mean fewer delays
in cancer treatments. In addition to being available directly to patients,
the kit will be exclusively distributed for free to oncology healthcare
professionals including physicians, nurses and social workers. These
professionals will then be able to distribute the kit to interested
patients at the time of diagnosis -- maximizing the patients' chances of
being able to preserve their fertility and go on to become parents after
cancer.
"Currently, numerous states do not have sperm banks, which presents a
significant barrier to accessing important fertility preservation
technologies. The Live:On kit provides immediate access for patients
everywhere and ensures that recently diagnosed cancer patients have the
opportunity to preserve their chances to have a family later in life," said
Amy Erickson Hagen, Executive From CLI.
"Approximately 80% of cancer patients ages 20-40 are treated in community
hospitals, which can be far from the metropolitan areas where most sperm
banks are located. Without immediate access to sperm banking, patients and
their oncologists are often faced with the question: Should we delay
treatment so that fertility can be preserved? The Live:On kit presents a
new option for those even in the most remote locations and helps ensure
that this question is never a consideration," continued Lindsay Beck,
Founder and Executive Director of Fertile Hope.
In addition to patients, the Live:On kit helps oncologists and oncology
nurses comply with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
guidelines on fertility preservation, which suggests that all patients be
informed of their fertility risks as early in treatment planning as
possible and notes sperm banking as the most successful fertility
preservation option for men.
"As a doctor, my oath is to do no harm. As an oncologist, my priority is to
cure cancer. As a cancer survivor, my focus is quality of life. The
Live:On kit allows me to deliver on all three," said Brandon Hayes-Lattin,
MD; Assistant Professor of Medicine, OHSU Cancer Institute; Medical Chair,
LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance and 9 year testicular cancer survivor.
A percentage of the sperm banking and long-term storage fees will be
donated back to Fertile Hope and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. This money
will help the organizations continue to meet the critical needs of cancer
survivors.
For more information or to order kits please call (800) 466-2796 or visit
www.liveonkit.com.
ABOUT THE LANCE ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION
The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) unites people to fight cancer,
believing that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is
everything. We provide the practical information and tools people battling
cancer need to live life on their own terms. We take aim at the gap between
what is known and what is done to prevent death and suffering due to
cancer. We engage the public at large to pursue an agenda focused on
preventing cancer, ensuring access to screening and care, improving the
quality of life for people affected by cancer, and investing in needed
research. Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance
Armstrong, the LAF is located in Austin, Texas. UNITE at
www.livestrong.org
ABOUT FERTILE HOPE
Fertile Hope is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing
reproductive information, support and hope to cancer patients whose medical
treatments present the risk of infertility. In addition to robust programs
in areas of awareness, education and support, Fertile Hope operates the
only fertility preservation financial assistance program for cancer
patients, including a program for men to help reduce the cost of sperm
banking. For more information, to apply for financial assistance or to make
a donation, please visit
www.fertilehope.org or call (888) 994-HOPE.
ABOUT CRYOGENIC LABORATORIES INCORPORATED
Cryogenic Laboratories, Inc. (CLI) was established as the first private
sperm bank in the country in the early 1970s. For over 30 years CLI has
remained a leader in the industry through our unwavering commitment to
excellence in medical science, advancements in cryobanking and genuine
concern for the reproductive aspirations of our clients -- present and
future. CLI has protected the reproductive future of patients through
careful application of cryopreservation and the maintenance of semen in a
frozen state over extended periods of time. CLI is one of the few cryobanks
in the country that is inspected and accredited by the prestigious American
Association of Tissue Banks. Having passed rigorous inspections of every
aspect of our operations from semen acquisition and storage practices to
quality control, quality assurance and record keeping, we are dedicated to
the safety and protection of our patients' assets. Our certifications
include:
-- An Inspected and Licensed Semen Bank, New York State Department of
Health.
-- Licensed as a tissue bank laboratory by the Maryland State Department
of Health.
-- Licensed tissue bank by the California Department of Health.
-- A federally inspected CLIA-certified laboratory.
Our staff is highly experienced, processing thousands of specimens
annually. For more information, call (800) 466-2796 or go to
www.cryolab.com.
Contact Information: Media Contacts:
Kate Larkin
201-255-0544