ASICS America Revs Up Battle Against Cancer With Prostate Cancer Awareness Collection Benefitting The Prostate Cancer Foundation

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- This November, ASICS America expands its Accelerate Hope Collection™ by joining forces with the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Firmly committed to curing prostate cancer, the Prostate Cancer Foundation is the leading philanthropic organization funding and accelerating research for the disease globally. Featuring two of ASICS's most popular footwear and accessory items in bright blue, the new Prostate Cancer Collection embodies ASICS's founding mission of "Anima Sana in Corpore Sano", a Latin phrase which roughly translates to "A Sound Mind in a Sound Body." This collection rounds out the larger Accelerate Hope Collection for ASICS, which includes collections benefitting breast cancer and children's cancer, through Right Action for Women and Cookies for Kids Cancer, respectively. 

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(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131031/SF07845LOGO-b)

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, second only to skin cancer. In fact, about one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point during their lifetime. For the last 20 years, the Prostate Cancer Foundation has worked tirelessly to find unique strategies for identifying and investing in the most promising research programs, generating life-saving results. The organization channels resources to the world's top scientific minds—cutting through red tape and encouraging collaboration to speed breakthroughs. In fact, in the past three years, research supported by the Foundation has helped deliver six new drugs for patients with advanced disease.

For the 2013 Prostate Cancer Collection, ASICS has created a series of specialty products, including the next generation GT-2000™ 2 BR performance running footwear for men and women in a bold, bright blue color and featuring a blue ribbon on the heel of the shoe. The collection also includes the Blue Ribbon Nimbus® Classic Low Sock. For the month of November, ASICS will donate $2 for every pair sold of the GT-2000 2 BR and $1 for every pair of blue ribbon socks to The Prostate Cancer Foundation with a minimum donation of $25,000 (up to $50,000). These specially marked products now available at retail stores nationwide and at http://www.asicsamerica.com.

"After launching our pediatric and breast cancer collections this September and October, we're honored to expand our Accelerate Hope platform to help save the lives of men all over the country through our partnership with the Prostate Cancer Foundation," commented Shannon Scott, Director of Marketing at ASICS America. "As we are in our second year supporting breast cancer awareness and also recently expanded to support children's cancer, our partnership with the prestigious Prostate Cancer Foundation was the logical next step in our journey to help battle cancer for men, women, and children everywhere."

Available throughout the month of November, items within the ASICS Prostate Cancer Awareness Collection benefitting the Prostate Cancer Foundation include:

• GT-2000™ 2 BR – Ready to go any distance, the second generation of the GT-2000™ is lighter and more comfortable than ever. New FluidRide™ midsole and full-length SpEVA® 55 lasting take its stable ride to the next level. (MSRP $120)
• Blue Ribbon Nimbus® Classic Low sock – This classic features the high-density cushioning that feels like a cloud under your feet with a blue ribbon logo signifying ASICS's support of prostate cancer awareness and research. (MSRP $9.00)

"We are grateful to ASICS for their support of life-saving prostate cancer research and are thrilled to be joining forces to raise funds and awareness in the fight against this disease," commented Jonathan W. Simons, MD, President and CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. "Nearly every two minutes, another man is diagnosed with prostate cancer. We're intensifying our efforts to deliver faster cures and better treatments to men and families battling prostate cancer, and support from partners such as ASICS is crucial in furthering our success in this mission."

The ASICS Prostate Cancer Awareness Collection is the third and final collection in the brand's 2013 Accelerate Hope Collection. For the month of September, ASICS launched its Pediatric Cancer Awareness collection benefitting Cookies for Kids' Cancer. In October, ASICS released its Breast Cancer Awareness Collection to benefit Right Action for Women. For more information on ASICS America and the ASICS Accelerate Hope Collection please visit www.asicsamerica.com and follow the brand on Twitter at @ASICSAmerica.

About ASICS
Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, meaning "A Sound Mind in a Sound Body," is an old Latin phrase from which ASICS is derived and the fundamental platform on which the brand still stands. The company was founded more than 60 years ago by Kihachiro Onitsuka and is now a leading designer and manufacturer of performance athletic shoes, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.asics.com.

About The Prostate Cancer Foundation
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) is the world's largest philanthropic source of support for accelerating the most promising research for better treatments and cures for prostate cancer. Founded in 1993, PCF has raised more than $548 million and provided funding to more than 1,600 research programs at nearly 200 cancer centers and universities in 17 countries. PCF advocates for greater awareness of prostate cancer and more efficient investment of governmental research funds for transformational cancer research. Its efforts have helped produce a 20-fold increase in government funding for prostate cancer. More information about the PCF can be found at www.pcf.org.

SOURCE ASICS