NEW YORK, & OSAKA, Japan -- (BUSINESS WIRE) --

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502) today announced that Takeda will support the projected expansion of the ACS’s Global Relay For Life (RFL) into an additional 20 countries by 2020. The RFL program is a global grassroots movement that unites communities across the globe to come together and honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost and provide an opportunity to fight back through raising awareness, fundraising and advocating for policies that help save lives.

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RFL is the largest grassroots fundraiser in the world and currently brings together cancer communities in more than 26 countries. Through this expansion, RFL expects to recruit and train new partners over the next five years to increase its presence to more than 46 countries and strengthen its support for cancer patients across the globe. In addition to aiding in the expansion of RFL, Takeda’s sponsorship also supplements support for regional and global summits for existing RFL partners.

“At the American Cancer Society we’re laser-focused on our goal of eliminating the pain and suffering caused by cancer. The expansion of the Global Relay For Life program helps makes this possible in parts of the world facing an often staggering unequal burden of this disease,” said Sharon Byers, Chief Development Officer for the American Cancer Society. “Anywhere you find a Relay For Life event, you also find cancer information, volunteer mobilization, and critical survivor support. These are necessary components for ending stigmas and saving lives. We’re proud to work with Takeda to develop this cancer-fighting infrastructure in 20 additional countries and counting.”

“We are proud to support the American Cancer Society to help expand the Global Relay for Life program and to raise public attention of cancer and the significant impact it has on patients, caregivers and communities across the globe,” said Christophe Bianchi, Global Oncology Business Unit President, Takeda. “At Takeda’s core is our unwavering commitment to patients. Through the support of this program, and in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, we hope to enhance awareness of and access to cancer prevention, early detection and treatment, and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those impacted by cancer worldwide.”

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 14 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year and approximately eight million succumb to the disease. The burden of cancer is expected to grow significantly in the future, and will have a major impact on those in developing countries. To kick-off the global expansion initiative, training for a partner organization started in Uruguay, one of the newly added countries, in September 2016. To learn more about RFL, visit relay.acsevents.org.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 2 million volunteers saving lives in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 23 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. We're finding cures as the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at (800) 227-2345 or visit cancer.org. The American Cancer Society does not endorse any service or product.

About Takeda

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is a global, research and development-driven pharmaceutical company committed to bringing better health and a brighter future to patients by translating science into life-changing medicines. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on oncology, gastroenterology and central nervous system therapeutic areas plus vaccines. Takeda conducts R&D both internally and with partners to stay at the leading edge of innovation. New innovative products, especially in oncology and gastroenterology, as well as our presence in Emerging Markets, fuel the growth of Takeda. More than 30,000 Takeda employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients, working with our partners in health care in more than 70 countries.

For Takeda, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is rooted in putting the patient in the center and operating a pharmaceutical business that creates outstanding products. In addition, we strive to maintain and improve sound business processes and to engage in activities to promote a sustainable society as a good corporate citizen. In doing so, we are implementing a model of value creation and preservation. For more information, visit http://www.takeda.com/csr/policy/.

Additional information about Takeda is available through its corporate website, www.takeda.com, and additional information about Takeda Oncology, the brand for the global oncology business unit of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, is available through its website, www.takedaoncology.com.

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CONTACT:

American Cancer Society
Ashley Engelman, 312-502-7443
Ashley.Engelman@cancer.org
or
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Ai Yoshikawa - Japan, +81-3-3278-3004
ai.yoshikawa@takeda.com
Amy Atwood - outside Japan, +1-617-444-2147
amy.atwood@takeda.com

Volunteers from the Peluffo-Giguens Foundation conduct a group activity on selecting the best leader for a Relay For Life Committee at the training in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo: Business Wire)

The staff and volunteer leadership from the American Cancer Society and the Peluffo-Guiguens Foundation following a two day training on Relay For Life in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo: Business Wire)