Bayer Launches First Interactive Virtual Walk in Support of Hemophilia

WAYNE, N.J., April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- To help raise money and awareness for bleeding disorders, Bayer is launching the 2011 Bayer Virtual Walk for Hemophilia, the first interactive program of its kind in support of people with hemophilia.  The Virtual Walk is Bayer's latest digital offering for the hemophilia community.  The company is asking people to step up for an important cause by virtually walking online for the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) and its local participating chapters.  The company is offering up to $60,000 in sponsorship funds, and is kicking off the Virtual Walk in concert with World Hemophilia Day (WHD) and a 5k walk in Berkeley, Calif.

"This is a really creative way to engage people through fun and friendly competition while keeping the spotlight on the needs of people with bleeding disorders," said Glenn Mones, Executive Director, New York City Hemophilia Chapter.  "Of course, we want as many people as possible to join us at the live Walk, but this is a great additional way to engage with the community and help make a difference."

The Virtual Walk for Hemophilia is a Web-based, interactive program, which is open to everyone.  Participants will go to www.walkforhemophilia.com to create a virtual character, choose a message and select a local participating NHF chapter for which they'll walk.  The top three chapters with the most virtual walkers by November 6, 2011 will receive sponsorship funds: 1st place, $15,000; 2nd place, $10,000; and 3rd place, $5,000.  Bayer will also award up to $30,000 in sponsorship funds to the national office of NHF in New York City.  People who sign up are encouraged to spread the word to their friends and family via Facebook, Twitter, email and other online vehicles.

According to Paul Bedard, Vice President/General Manager, Hematology, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, "We're pleased to introduce this type of interactive program to the hemophilia community.  The Virtual Walk for Hemophilia is the latest in a series of innovative programs and services, such as FactorTrack™, a mobile application to help track and record infusions for people with bleeding disorders, including those with hemophilia A."

To make every step count in the 2011 Bayer Virtual Walk for Hemophilia, go to www.walkforhemophilia.com.

Bayer Celebrates World Hemophilia Day

World Hemophilia Day, celebrated on April 17, was introduced in 1989 by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) in honor of its founder Frank Schnabel.  It commemorates Schnabel's achievements and extends his personal mission to improve global care for people with hemophilia.  This year, Bayer is celebrating WHD in more than 50 countries through a variety of activities that further connect the company's life-saving work with people with hemophilia.

In the U.S., Bayer is participating in the Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California Hemophilia Walk in Berkeley's Cesar Chavez Park on Saturday, April 16.  The 5k course is a paved, wheelchair-accessible path, banked by beautiful views of San Francisco Bay.  The San Francisco Bay Area is the home of Bayer's Berkeley manufacturing facility.  

About Hemophilia A

Hemophilia A, also known as factor VIII deficiency or classic hemophilia, is largely an inherited bleeding disorder in which one of the proteins needed to form blood clots in the body is missing or reduced. Hemophilia A, the most common type of hemophilia, is caused by deficient or defective blood coagulation proteins, known as factor VIII. Hemophilia A is characterized by prolonged or spontaneous bleeding, especially into the muscles, joints, or internal organs.  Approximately one in 5,000 males born in the United States has hemophilia.

About Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the U.S.-based pharmaceuticals business of Bayer HealthCare LLC, a subsidiary of Bayer AG. Bayer HealthCare is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry, and combines the activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, and Pharmaceuticals divisions.  As a specialty pharmaceutical company, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals provides products for Diagnostic Imaging, General Medicine, Hematology, Neurology, Oncology and Women's Healthcare.  The company's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human health worldwide by diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

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SOURCE Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.