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The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) today announced it has signed on as the Signature Partner of Take Aim, a new program in cooperation with the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF). Take Aim was created to protect men and families around the world by raising awareness of this disease and supporting crucial research for a cure. Prostate cancer affects more than 16 million men and their families worldwide.
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and PCF will kick off the Take Aim program with NASDAQ OMX by ringing The NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell on August 30th. NASDAQ OMX employees and family members - some of whom are cancer survivors — will join PCF in a gathering at the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York City's Times Square to mark this historic event.
NASDAQ OMX leads by example. In the fight against prostate cancer more than 80% of employees completed a comprehensive wellness exam, which includes a prostate cancer screening. Furthermore, on October 21st, Take Aim will host a fundraiser march in New York City and across various NASDAQ OMX offices. The Take Aim fundraiser will consist of single-file marches throughout key cities to raise awareness of prostate cancer.
"The Prostate Cancer Foundation is one of several charitable organizations we are partnering with as a means to give back to our global community," said William H. Morgan, Senior Vice President of Global Human Resources at NASDAQ OMX. "NASDAQ OMX employees are corporate citizens, leaders in their community who spend significant time raising awareness and support for a variety of great causes."
"We welcome NASDAQ OMX's lead participation in the Take Aim program," said Jonathan W. Simons, M.D., president and CEO of PCF. "WithNASDAQ OMX's reach, their efforts will not only touch their employees and those of NASDAQ-listed companies, but America's wider financial industry as well. Nearly every U.S. family is familiar with the NASDAQ OMX brand. We hope that NASDAQ OMX's leadership will encourage other U.S. companies to join in the Take Aim campaign."
Take Aim is a cause-related marketing program similar to the widely recognized pink ribbon programs for breast cancer. Cause-related marketing messages are found on consumer products and services to raise awareness and make it easy for consumers to support causes they care about. Companies that partner with PCF's Take Aim campaign will not only perform an important public service but help raise funds to support research for better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer.
While, in incidence and mortality, prostate cancer is to men what breast cancer is to women, public awareness for this disease has traditionally lagged behind breast cancer. This year, in the U.S. alone, more than 240,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed compared to 218,000 in 2010, and more than 33,000 men will die from the disease.
For more information on the Take Aim program, please visit NASDAQ OMX's customized portal on PCF's website:
About the Prostate Cancer Foundation:
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) is the world's leading philanthropic organization funding and accelerating research. Founded in 1993, PCF has raised nearly $450 million and provided funding to more than 1,500 researchers at nearly 200 institutions in 12 countries. PCF advocates for greater awareness of prostate cancer and more efficient investment of governmental research funds supporting transformational cancer research. Our efforts have helped produce a 20-fold increase in government funding for prostate cancer. More information about PCF can be found at pcf.org.
