Bogart Estate Joins the Fight Against Esophageal Cancer

Partnership to focus on message of prevention and early detection

BALTIMORE and LOS ANGELES, April 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The latest reports from the American Cancer Society show that diagnosis and mortality rates are down in almost every type of cancer – except cancer of the esophagus.  Esophageal Cancer is the fastest increasing cancer diagnosis in the U.S. – up more than 400 percent in the past 20 years.  Most people have no idea that the deadly disease is often caused by heartburn, and can be prevented with early detection.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120404/DC82623)

The estate of legendary actor and cultural icon Humphrey Bogart, who lost his life to Esophageal Cancer, is joining forces with the Esophageal Cancer Action Network (ECAN) to spread awareness of the benefits of early detection.  "We know that more and more lives are lost to this dreadful disease every year. But those lives could be saved with better public awareness and more early detection," said Stephen Bogart, son of the exceptional performer.

ECAN continues to lead the effort to have April designated as Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month across the nation and has developed robust media outreach and event programming to support its message that Heartburn can cause Cancer.  The non-profit promotes Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month with free Reach Out kits containing posters, brochures and periwinkle blue wristbands bearing their life-saving message.

"ECAN has begun an impressive effort to put this little-known disease on the radar screen of at-risk people and their doctors.  We want to help them have an even bigger impact," said Robbert de Klerk, co-managing partner of Bogart LLC, the entity through which the Humphrey Bogart Estate manages the legacy of Humphrey Bogart.

ECAN and Bogart LLC are developing plans for a nationwide public awareness campaign focused on raising awareness about the causes of the Esophageal Cancer and the need for early detection through screening.

"We are excited about the potential to save so many more lives through this partnership with the Humphrey Bogart Estate because it will allow us to reach a wide audience which has not yet heard our message," said ECAN's President and CEO Mindy Mintz Mordecai.

Though not yet three years old, ECAN has made strides in the fight against this deadly disease.  ECAN's advocacy led to a decision by the National Cancer Institute to include Esophageal Cancer in its ground-breaking genome mapping project. 

ECAN was founded after Mordecai lost her husband to Esophageal Cancer in 2008 and discovered that no national non-profit advocacy organization existed with a mission to raise public awareness, improve early detection rates, and support progress in medical research in the fight against Esophageal Cancer.

NOTE: Approved use of the Bogart image is restricted to reports about the Esophageal Cancer Action Network only.  Photo credit: By permission of  www.mptvimages.com.  All rights reserved.

About ECAN
The Esophageal Cancer Action Network's mission is to save lives by increasing awareness about the link between Heartburn and Cancer, promoting early detection and supporting advances in medical research.  Led by a board of directors of top physicians, business leaders, and families that have been touched by Esophageal Cancer, ECAN is tackling this devastating disease head on.  Learn more at www.ecan.org.

About Bogart LLC
Bogart LLC manages the legacy and publicity rights of legendary actor and cultural icon Humphrey Bogart.  Stephen Bogart and Robbert de Klerk serve as co-managing partners, and Leslie Bogart has an active voice within the company. Bogart LLC enters into licensing and merchandising agreements which fit with, and respect, the legacy of Humphrey Bogart. Learn more at www.facebook.com/HumphreyBogartEstate and www.twitter.com/HumphreyBogart.

SOURCE Esophageal Cancer Action Network