Press Release From The Cancer Institute of New Jersey

March 31, 2006
Contact: Courtney DeNicola
For Immediate Release
732/235-9872
denicoca@umdnj.edu

Major NFL Player Set to Tackle Prostate Cancer

Philadelphia Eagles' Jon Runyan Joins
The Cancer Institute of New Jersey in Effort to Fight Cancer

New Brunswick—On the playing field, Jon Runyan is considered to be feisty, aggressive and competitive. In the cancer world and to The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ), Runyan is a true team player, announcing today his support and involvement in activities to raise funds for prostate cancer research.

"I'm proud to make this announcement today," stated Runyan, the Eagles' offensive tackle who signed with the organization in 2000. "It's very rewarding to partner with CINJ to defeat cancer."

Runyan will host his annual "Score for the Cure" golf tournament set to take place on October 3 at Ramblewood Country Club in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. This year, Runyan will donate the funds raised to help support prostate cancer research at CINJ's Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer Center.

"We are thrilled that Jon has chosen to support CINJ," said Ronald A. Morton, Jr., M.D., Chief of Urologic Oncology at CINJ and Professor of Surgery, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. "His support, enthusiasm and time is a true testament of his character and we're proud to be able to work with him on this initiative."

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, excluding skin cancers, and is the leading cause of cancer death among this group. It is estimated that during 2006, approximately 234,460 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed nationwide, with more than 27,000 men dying from the disease. Modern methods of detection and treatment now mean that prostate cancer is detected earlier and treated more effectively, which has led to a yearly drop in death rate of about 3.5% in recent years.

"There are still plenty of men who are not having regular check-ups, including having their PSA levels tested and requesting a digital rectal examination (DRE)," added Betty Gallo, The Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer Center. "We need to educate the public about the importance of early detection and screening for prostate cancer."

"Research cures cancer, but research costs a lot of money," said Leslie Taylor, Chair of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Foundation Board of Trustees. "It is through philanthropic support and partnerships such as the one with Jon Runyan that we can continue to fight the battle and hope to someday conquer cancer. We are grateful to Dietz & Watson for supporting the event at the Title Sponsor level and we invite businesses, corporations and golfers throughout New Jersey to "Score for the Cure" with us on October 3." To receive information about the event, please call 732/235-4955.

Runyan, who prior to signing with the Eagles' played for the Houston Oilers, now Tennessee Oilers, has started in every regular season game since joining the organization. Recently, Runyan re-signed with the Eagles' for three years. Runyan is also part owner of the American Football League (AFL) San Diego Riptide. He lives with his wife and three children in South Jersey.

The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is the state's first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and is dedicated to improving the prevention, detection, treatment and care of patients with cancer. CINJ's physician-scientists engage in translational research, transforming their laboratory discoveries into clinical practice quite literally bringing research to life. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. To support CINJ, please call 732/235-8614.

The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Network is comprised of hospitals throughout the state and provides a mechanism to rapidly disseminate important discoveries into the community. Partner Hospitals: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Atlantic Health System (Morristown Memorial Hospital, Mountainside Hospital, Overlook Hospital). Affiliate Hospitals: Bayshore Community Hospital, CentraState Healthcare System, Cooper University Hospital (CINJ at Cooper)*, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, JFK Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center, Raritan Bay Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton (CINJ-Hamilton), Saint Peter's University Hospital, Somerset Medical Center, Southern Ocean County Hospital, The University Hospital/UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School*, and University Medical Center at Princeton.

*Academic Affiliate