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A Heroic Effort to Raise Awareness of the Revolution In Treating Kidney Failure
( Business Wire ) 6/24/99

Business/Lifestyle Editors & Health/Medical Writers

YORBA LINDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 24, 1999--

Southern California School Teacher Dares to Dream His Dream

and Inspires Others With Cross-Country Cycling Tour

A 30-year-old high school teacher with kidney failure has dreamed
for more than 10 years of bicycling across the United States, but, in
the early years of treatment, his disease prevented him from
performing life's routine activities, let alone riding a bicycle more
than 2,700 miles. Now, however, Bryon Vouga's dream is about to come
true: he will bicycle across our country to demonstrate that people do
not have to be held hostage to life-threatening diseases such as his.
Bryon will depart from Los Angeles on June 25 to bicycle across
the desert and the southern United States, arriving in Jacksonville,
Florida about one month later.
"I want to put a human face on this disease. I'm using my
cross-country trip to prove to myself and to others that we do not
have to be 'victims' of kidney disease, dialysis treatment or anemia,"
Bryon said. "Even though not every dialysis patient will be able to
bicycle across America, I want people to know that each of us can dare
to dream our dreams ... whether that means volunteering in the
community or just being able to manage one's own activities of daily
living."
Since age 16, Bryon has been fighting kidney disease, clinically
known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). After two failed kidney
transplants before age 25, he faced the sometimes crippling anemia
that accompanies kidney failure and dialysis, a treatment necessary to
purify his blood.
Battling anemia meant that Bryon often missed classes and needed
to take naps after work. He barely had the energy to lift himself out
of bed. But Bryon's struggle took a positive turn in 1989, soon after
he was given his first injection of EPOGEN(R) (Epoetin alfa), a
groundbreaking biotechnology drug that helps dialysis patients produce
a sufficient supply of red blood cells. Without EPOGEN, Bryon would
not be able to fulfill his dream. He would still likely be exhausted
by his severe anemia.
EPOGEN works by signaling Bryon's bone marrow to increase his red
blood cell count, the cells that carry oxygen throughout the body,
thereby giving the body the energy to perform its critical functions.
Bryon's cross-country journey marks the 10th anniversary of the
introduction of EPOGEN.
In the years before the introduction of EPOGEN therapy, dialysis
patients were often dependent on repeated transfusions of blood to
give temporary relief from crippling anemia. Many were unable to
perform simple tasks such as making a bed or carrying a bag of
groceries, and some were bedridden. Because of the kidney's primary
role in the production of erythropoietin, a naturally-occurring
protein that stimulates the body's bone marrow to produce red blood
cells, a major complication for patients with kidney failure is the
chronic anemia that results when production of erythropoietin is
reduced. As the disease progresses, erythropoietin production by the
kidneys declines. EPOGEN therapy replaces the missing erythropoietin
and increases the red blood cell levels in dialysis patients whose red
blood cell production has been compromised.
Bryon is not alone in his struggle against ESRD. Currently, there
are more than 250,000 Americans who suffer from chronic kidney
failure, about 200,000 of whom rely on dialysis to keep them alive.
Kidney disease claims the lives of more than 50,000 Americans each
year.
To underscore his commitment to helping others overcome kidney
disease, Bryon will be raising money for the National Kidney
Foundation of Southern California (NKFSC). NKFSC is co-sponsoring his
ride, along with Amgen, the biotechnology company that discovered
EPOGEN. Bryon's goal is to raise $27,000 ($10 per mile) for the NKFSC
to help with the Foundation's programs of direct patient services,
public health education and research into the causes and improved
treatments of kidney and urologic disease. Donations are
tax-deductible and can be made by calling 800/747-5527 or on the
Internet at www.kidneysocal.org.
"Bryon is a shining example for other kidney disease patients
demonstrating that they can recapture their life after being diagnosed
with this life-threatening disease," said Mohammad Akmal, M.D., NKFSC
chairman. "His trip across the country will show the public the need
to continue to support research for current and future kidney disease
sufferers."
Completing the cross-country ride has been a lifelong dream for
Bryon. He acknowledges the considerable support he receives from his
family, especially his fiancee, Heather, whom he plans to marry at the
conclusion of his trip. In the fall, Bryon will return to his job as a
10th grade school teacher in his hometown of Yorba Linda, California,
where he demonstrates his indomitable spirit each day not only by
fighting kidney disease, but also by teaching his at-risk students to
overcome their own obstacles in life.
In addition to raising awareness and funds for NKFSC, Bryon hopes
his ride will motivate people to realize their dreams and break down
stereotypes of people living with disabilities. For the trip, Bryon
will ride 100 miles a day, rest for four days out of 30, and make 14
stops along his route to undergo dialysis. His aunt and uncle will
drive up to two days in advance of Bryon, finalizing arrangements
along the way. Heather, his fiancee, will head the road crew that
stays alongside Bryon while he is riding.
To share his inspirational story, Bryon will offer motivational
talks to other ESRD patients at dialysis centers across the country.

Background on EPOGEN(R) (Epoetin alfa)

EPOGEN, recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO), was approved
by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June 1989 for use in the
treatment of anemia in dialysis patients with chronic renal failure.
Prior to the introduction of EPOGEN, the most common attempts to
combat this anemia were repeated and costly blood transfusions as well
as androgen therapy, which carries unwanted side effects, especially
for female patients. Today, the vast majority of patients undergoing
dialysis receive EPOGEN as part of their treatment regimen.
In clinical trials, the most frequently reported adverse events
with EPOGEN were hypertension, headache, tachycardia (rapid heart
rate), nausea/vomiting, and clotted vascular access. These events
occur frequently in patients with chronic renal failure as part of the
disease process and may or may not be attributable specifically to
EPOGEN therapy. In general, the reported adverse effects were
manageable and not dose-limiting, and did not require discontinuation
of EPOGEN therapy.
Throughout this historic effort, Bryon's fans, supporters and the
media can follow the cross-country team on the Internet at
www.bryonsride.com. Beginning May 15, a completely interactive web
site will chronicle Bryon's trip, including a daily dose of fresh
photos from the road, a continuously updated route map to track his
progress, and a message board for fans to reach Bryon directly as he
travels across the country.