Tiki Barber, Shaun Alexander and Others Join Merril Hoge and Dedicate 2005 Season to Raising Awareness of One of the Fastest Growing Cancers in the US NEW YORK, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ESPN analyst and former Pittsburgh Steelers' Merril Hoge along with New York Giants' Tiki Barber and lymphoma expert Dr. Andrew Zelenetz of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center today launched the Winning Game Plan program in partnership with Genentech, Inc. and Biogen Idec, Inc. at ESPN Zone in New York City. The Winning Game Plan teams Hoge with five of the country's most prominent NFL stars to increase awareness of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, and raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society during the 2005 football season. Winning Game Plan team members include: Barber, Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander, Chicago Bears' Muhsin Muhammad, Tennessee Titans' Jeff Fisher and Miami Dolphins' Ronnie Brown. "Finding out that you have non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can be an isolating and overwhelming experience, but I discovered that you can take control of the disease," said Hoge. "During my journey with cancer, I learned everything I could and built a solid team of physicians, family and friends to help me actively fight this disease. I joined the Winning Game Plan program because I want to help others facing lymphoma to seize control and find hope." Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma affects 360,000 people in the United States and is one of the fastest growing cancers in the country. Approximately 56,000 men and women will be diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma this year. About the Winning Game Plan The Winning Game Plan is an educational campaign designed to raise awareness about non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and to empower patients to better understand and take an active role in combating their disease. "While some types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are incurable, advances in the treatment of this cancer are allowing us to manage it as a chronic disease for many patients," comments Dr. Andrew Zelenetz, Chief, Lymphoma Services, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. "The Winning Game Plan program will help patients understand the importance of partnering with their physician to learn about the disease and available treatment options as well as developing a long-term treatment plan." Recognizing the commitment of the Winning Game Plan team members, Genentech and Biogen Idec will make a donation to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for every offensive yard gained made by the Winning Game Plan team players, as well as every Titans game won during the regular season. This donation, to be presented to the Society at the Super Bowl in February 2006, will be used to fund important educational programs for people living with lymphoma and their loved ones. Getting Involved The Winning Game Plan team will participate in regional educational events for patients and their loved ones in Chicago, Nashville, Miami and Seattle. Winning Game Plan team members will team up with local oncologists and representatives of the Society at these events to share their experiences with cancer as well as to provide tips about living well with lymphoma. "Perseverance, knowledge and teamwork -- the qualities that made Merril Hoge a great football player -- are the same qualities that every non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patient can bring to their own experience living with cancer," said Dwayne Howell, President and CEO of the Society. "The Society is thrilled to partner with Merril, Genentech and Biogen Idec to educate lymphoma patients and their families and help them build a Winning Game Plan for the future." To support people with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, their loved ones and the public, a Web site has been developed to serve as an information resource. People affected by lymphoma can visit http://www.winninggameplan.com/ for the latest information about Winning Game Plan events and ways to support those living with the disease. About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society(R), headquartered in White Plains, NY, with 66 chapters in the United States and Canada, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $424 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made 2.5 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. For more information, please visit http://www.lls.org/. About Genentech Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes biotherapeutics for significant unmet medical needs. A considerable number of the currently approved biotechnology products originated from or are based on Genentech science. Genentech manufactures and commercializes multiple biotechnology products directly in the United States and licenses several additional products to other companies. The company has headquarters in South San Francisco, California and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DNA. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com/. About Biogen Idec Biogen Idec creates new standards of care in oncology and immunology. As a global leader in the development, manufacturing and commercialization of novel therapies, Biogen Idec transforms scientific discoveries into advances in human healthcare. For product labeling, press releases and additional information about the company, please visit http://www.biogenidec.com/. DATASOURCE: Genentech, Inc.; Biogen Idec, Inc. CONTACT: Lauren Magnetti, Cohn & Wolfe, +1-212-798-9863 Web site: http://www.winninggameplan.com/ http://www.gene.com/ http://www.biogenidec.com/ http://www.lls.org/

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