Kimberly-Clark, Depend team up to fight prostate cancer
DALLAS Kimberly-Clark and the Depend brand have announced their partnership with Zero - The Project to End Prostate Cancer.
From now through 2010, proceeds from the purchase of each package of Depend Underwear for Men and Depend Guards for Men will contribute to a final donation of $250,000 to Zero to help fund education for patients, free screenings for those at risk and cancer research.
Prostate cancer currently is the second-leading cause of male cancer-related deaths in the United States, with an estimated 27,360 fatalities in 2008. Despite being such a prevalent disease among males, nearly 100% of men diagnosed with the disease in its early stages are alive five years later. Early detection remains a critical step to surviving cancer.
"Our hope for future generations is that prostate cancer becomes a thing of the past," said Skip Lockwood, CEO of Zero. "We commend Kimberly-Clark and the Depend brand for their commitment to helping us eradicate this disease."
As part of the program, the Depend brand has aligned with a team of sports legends who each have a unique experience with prostate cancer. Survivors of the disease, including golf's Jim Colbert, former baseball star and Zero board member Ken Griffey Sr., Football Hall of Famer Len Dawson and World Boxing Hall of Fame referee Joe Cortez, will join Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2009 inductee Rod Woodson, who at age 44 has pledged to get screened for the disease for the first time, as campaign ambassadors. All five men will share their personal stories, interact with consumers online at Depend.com and participate in various marketing communications activities, which will encourage men to be proactive about their prostate health.
Depend products continue to serve as valued resources for those recovering from prostate health issues, helping them maintain a normal and active lifestyle. For more information about Depend products or "The Depend Campaign to End Prostate Cancer," visit www.depend.com.