NEW YORK, April 4, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) today introduced the new 2007 Team Hemophilia (http://www.teamhemophilia.org), a fundraising program sponsored by Bayer HealthCare, in partnership with Andretti Green Racing, to benefit NHF and its participating local chapters. Team Hemophilia, now in its second season, will leverage the popularity of the IndyCar Series, the Indianapolis 500(r) Mile Race, and 2006 IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year Marco Andretti to raise money and awareness of bleeding and clotting disorders.
The NHF is excited to continue working with Marco Andretti who has done more in the last year than just earn his title as IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year. Throughout the 2006 season, Andretti also made an impact off the track, visiting with hemophilia community members in cities where IndyCar Series races occurred. In addition, Andretti participated in the hemophilia community's recent annual meeting in Philadelphia, where he presented a $10,000 donation on behalf of his family.
"I am proud to be a part of Team Hemophilia with the National Hemophilia Foundation and Bayer HealthCare," said Marco Andretti, driver of the No. 26 car for Andretti Green Racing. "Bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia, are very challenging conditions, and I hope that the funds and awareness raised by Team Hemophilia will help improve the lives of people living with them."
The official program Web site, www.teamhemophilia.org, will host live Ebay online auctions where participants can bid to win VIP tickets to IndyCar Series races or an Indy 500 Fantasy Weekend including airfare, accommodations, and a VIP IndyCar race day experience for two. As the lead sponsor of Team Hemophilia, Bayer HealthCare is providing campaign assistance as well as ongoing financial support.
"We appreciate the support of Bayer and Andretti Green Racing for Team Hemophilia and NHF," said Dr. Alan Kinniburgh, CEO of the NHF. "Team Hemophilia is an important fundraising and awareness initiative. It will capture the spirit and excitement of the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series while raising awareness of bleeding disorders among the general public."
Everyone is invited to participate in Team Hemophilia by visiting www.teamhemophilia.org where Team Hemophilia race packages will be available through Ebay online auctions. Packages contain all of the VIP benefits and the Race Weekend Packages also include round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations for two. Those who can't make it to the track on race day can show their support by shopping for autographed Team Hemophilia products, sending an E-postcard to a friend, or making a donation to the NHF.
"As an industry leader, Bayer HealthCare is committed to improving the lives of people with hemophilia and dedicated to supporting programs that raise awareness," said Terry Tenbrunsel, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Bayer HealthCare. "We are excited to partner with NHF and Andretti Green Racing to raise awareness of hemophilia, and are committed to supporting programs that educate the public about bleeding disorders."
Funds raised by Team Hemophilia will help maintain important NHF programs like summer camps for children, peer support groups, medic alert IDs, educational seminars, and other initiatives for people living with bleeding disorders. For more information about Team Hemophilia and to make a contribution, visit www.teamhemophilia.org.
About Hemophilia
Approximately 400,000 people around the world have hemophilia. Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder characterized by prolonged or spontaneous bleeding, especially into the muscles, joints, or internal organs. The disease is caused by deficient or defective blood coagulation proteins, known as factor VIII or IX. The most common form of the disease is hemophilia A, or classic hemophilia, in which the clotting factor VIII is either deficient or defective. Hemophilia B is characterized by deficient or defective factor IX.
About the National Hemophilia Foundation
The NHF is dedicated to finding better treatments and cures for bleeding and clotting disorders and to preventing the complications of these disorders through education, advocacy and research.
About Bayer HealthCare AG
Bayer HealthCare, a subgroup of Bayer AG, is one of the world's leading innovative companies in the health care and medical products industry. In 2004, the Bayer HealthCare subgroup generated sales amounting to some EU 8.5 billion.
The company combines the global activities of the divisions Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, Diagnostics and Pharmaceuticals, which was established as a new business entity on January 1, 2006, by combining the previous Pharmaceuticals and Biological Products Divisions. The new Pharmaceuticals Division comprises the Hematology/Cardiology, Primary Care and Oncology Business Units. Bayer HealthCare employs approximately 35,300 staff worldwide.
Our aim is to discover and manufacture innovative products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. Our products enhance well-being and quality of life by diagnosing, preventing and treating disease.
About Andretti Green Racing, Inc.
Andretti Green Racing, which won the 2004 and 2005 IndyCar Series championships and the 2005 Indianapolis 500, has won 27 Indy Racing League events in four seasons, including 23 in the IndyCar Series and four in the Indy Pro Series.
In addition to its new ALMS effort in 2007, the team will field four full-time entries in the IndyCar Series and a single-car team in the Indy Pro Series.
CONTACT:
National Hemophilia Foundation, John Indence, 212-328-3763, Fax: 212-328-3777, jindence@hemophilia.org
Bayer HealthCare, Staci Gouveia, 203.812.6152, staci.gouveia.b@bayer.com
Andretti Green Racing, Al Larsen, 317-872-2700 ext. 239, alan.larsen@andrettigreenracing.com