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Bayer,
GlaxoSmithKline And The National Football League
NFL Legend Coach Mike Ditka Helps Kick Off National West Haven, CT, Philadelphia, PA and New York, NY, September 9, 2003 – Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Bayer), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and the National Football League (NFL) today officially launched “Tackling Men’s Health,” an innovative national men’s health education campaign. Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka helped kick off the campaign. Designed to raise awareness of critical men’s health issues, the goal of the campaign is to encourage men to proactively manage their health and visit their doctor through resources such as a dedicated, interactive web site (www.TacklingMensHealth.com), an informative “Playbook,” and a toll-free information line, (1-866-NFLHealth), “Tackling Men’s Health” will deliver important information to men. The program addresses a range of men’s health issues including cardiovascular health, diabetes, mental health, prostate health, stress and sexual health. Ditka will travel the country spreading the word about “Tackling Men’s Health” and will also be featured in the program’s educational materials, including a public service announcement airing in NFL stadiums. “Through the Tackling Men’s Health program, I have an opportunity to coach guys on paying attention to their health, seeing their doctors and taking care of themselves on every level: mentally and physically,” said Ditka. “Men need to be taking the steps that I did, earlier than I did, so that they can try to prevent and take care of issues before they are serious.” “Tackling Men’s Health” a groundbreaking public service educational program presented by the NFL, Bayer and GSK, is the cornerstone of the previously announced first multi-year official sponsorship for the NFL with a pharmaceutical company. Bayer and GSK signed a co-promotion and co-development agreement for LEVITRA â (vardenafil HCI), a new prescription medication recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “The NFL is pleased and proud to be part of an initiative that drives awareness of health issues that affect men every day,” said John Collins, NFL Senior Vice President of Marketing & Sales. “Tackling Men’s Health will provide an invaluable service to our fans.” “Each week, 120 million people watch NFL games on television providing a unique opportunity to reach the League’s fans with important messages about men’s health,” said David Pernock, Senior Vice-President with GlaxoSmithKline US Pharmaceuticals. “Never before has a League of this stature and its sponsors embarked on such a significant, comprehensive campaign focused on men’s health,” said Colin Foster, President, Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation. “With resources like tacklingmenshealth.com and the Playbook, we are providing men with access to information that can make a real difference in their lives.” PROGRAM COMPONENTS:
About Bayer
Pharmaceuticals Corporation Bayer HealthCare combines the global activities of the business groups of Bayer AG in the fields of Animal Health, Biological Products, Consumer Care, Diagnostics and Pharmaceuticals. More than 34,000 employees support the worldwide operations of Bayer HealthCare. Our work at Bayer
HealthCare is to discover and manufacture innovative products for the
purpose of improving human and animal health worldwide. Our products enhance
well-being and quality of life by diagnosing, preventing and treating
disease. GlaxoSmithKline - one
of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare
companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling
people to do more, feel better and live longer. ###
Contacts: Brian
McCarthy Rob
Bronfeld |