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P.F. Chang's(R) China Bistro Employees Race to Find Cures for Blood Cancers

Posted on: Friday, 12 January 2007, 09:00 CST

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- P.F. Chang's China Bistro employees who have trained with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training(R) (TNT) program will be racing toward an even greater finish line -- helping to find better therapies for blood cancer patients -- at the 2007 P.F. Chang's(R) Rock 'n' Roll Arizona(TM) Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, in Phoenix, on Jan. 14.

The Society announced that it will name the final year of a five-year, $7 million blood cancer research grant in honor of the P.F. Chang's team because of the employees' strong support.

"The Society is extremely grateful for the support given by P.F. Chang's and its employees over these past four years," said Dwayne Howell, Society's president and CEO. "P.F. Chang's has worked hard to bring hope to thousands of blood cancer patients by raising money to find cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The naming of this research funding in honor of the company's employees recognizes their extraordinary efforts."

Through TNT, the world's largest endurance sports training program, participants raise funds for blood cancer research, education and patient services, while training to run or walk a marathon or half marathon, a triathlon or 100-mile bike ride.

This Sunday, 201 P.F. Chang's employees will be wearing TNT's signature purple singlet at the race. In four years P.F. Chang's employees have raised a total of $1.5 million for the Society's mission through TNT.

"We at P.F. Chang's are very proud to support such an important cause," said Bert Vivian, company president. "It is gratifying to see our employees recognized for their efforts, and we thank the Society for naming this grant in their honor."

The Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) grant named for P.F. Chang's was first awarded in 2003 to Irwin Bernstein, M.D., head of pediatric oncology research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, in Seattle, WA. The $1.5 million raised by the P.F. Chang's employees will cover the grant's final year. Dr. Bernstein's research has focused on developing less toxic and more effective immune-based therapies for treating advanced leukemia and lymphoma. Dr. Bernstein pioneered monoclonal antibody therapy approved for acute myelogenous leukemia.

The innovative SCOR program brings together a cluster of at least three independent research teams working in complementary areas, each focused on the discovery of new approaches in therapies for patients with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. The program encourages scientists from different disciplines to collaborate in developing novel treatments.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Society, headquartered in White Plains, NY, with 66 chapters in the United States and Canada, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $483 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made 4.2 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

For more information about blood cancer, visit http://www.lls.org/ or call the Society's Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

About P.F. Chang's China Bistro

P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc. owns and operates three restaurant concepts in the Asian niche. P.F. Chang's China Bistro features a blend of high- quality, Chinese cuisine, attentive service and a sophisticated, contemporary bistro setting. Pei Wei Asian Diner offers a modest menu of freshly prepared Asian cuisine in a relaxed, warm environment with dine-in and take-out flexibility. The company opened Taneko Japanese Tavern on Oct. 2, 2006. Taneko's menu features natural, organic and seasonal ingredients highlighting the diverse cooking styles of Japan.

As a national presenting partner of TNT, P.F. Chang's underwrites the fundraising minimum for one participant from every store nationwide annually for the marathon.

About Elite Racing and P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon

The marathon is one of four musical running events created by Elite Racing Inc. Participants are treated to 70 live bands playing at every mile, 40 high school cheerleading squads providing extra motivation along the route and a finish line festival at Arizona State University. An evening concert at Tempe Beach Park caps the day's festivities. Elite Racing, a sports-marketing and management company based in San Diego, CA, is the leader in producing world- class running events. In addition to P.F. Chang's, Elite Racing produces eight events each year, including the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon(R), Country Music Marathon(TM) & 1/2 Marathon, the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon(TM) and the Carlsbad 5000, the world's fastest 5K.

Contact: Andrea Greif 914.821.8958

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

CONTACT: Andrea Greif, +1-914-821-8958, of The Leukemia & LymphomaSociety

Web site: http://www.lls.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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