Gospel Great Byron Cage Raises His Voice to Raise Awareness About Chronic Kidney Disease

Gospel Great Byron Cage Raises His Voice to Raise Awareness About Chronic Kidney Disease

Program Educates About Early Warning Signs; African Americans at High Risk

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Gospel culture and its powerful musical component have the ability to inspire people to take a proactive role in nurturing their mind, body and spirit. Now, gospel artist Byron Cage is using the power of music to lead a public awareness program -- Strength in Harmony(SM) -- to encourage those at risk for chronic kidney disease to recognize warning signs and obtain early medical intervention. Led by Cage, tomorrow's event will feature a musical performance and free health workshop at Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, Maryland. Strength in Harmony is being offered by Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., in partnership with The COSHAR Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization with a focus on health education through faith-based initiatives.

"I am excited to continue working with Ortho Biotech and COSHAR on the Strength in Harmony initiative," said Minister Cage. "I hope to help bring the African-American community together to take action against chronic kidney disease. Just knowing the risk factors and what symptoms to look out for can lead to earlier treatment and better health."

Chronic kidney disease is a progressive condition in which the kidneys are unable to function effectively. Currently, 20 million Americans have kidney disease and another estimated 20 million are at risk for developing the condition. African Americans are affected disproportionately, as they represent 30 percent of patients treated for kidney failure in the United States, but only 13 percent of the overall population. The incidence of people experiencing kidney failure per million is 1,000 in African Americans, but only 259 in Caucasians. People at elevated risk include those with diabetes or high blood pressure, and those who have a family history of kidney disease.

The concert is the second of two Strength in Harmony events taking place this year. The program launched in March 2006 with a kick-off concert at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta. Additionally, The COSHAR Foundation is distributing chronic kidney disease information to the 8,500 congregations that make up its Health Ministries Network.

"There is a great need for education about chronic kidney disease awareness in the African-American community," said Sharon Allison-Ottey, M.D., COSHAR's Director of Health and Community Initiatives. "The combination of spirituality and health awareness is a powerful team to combat this disease. The COSHAR Foundation is committed to assisting churches around the country in focusing health messages and efforts to make an impact on the health disparities in this country."

Strength in Harmony also is supported by a coalition of organizations, including the American Association of Kidney Patients, American Kidney Fund, the Alliance of Minority Medical Associations and Together Rx Access(TM), which offers a free prescription savings program for eligible individuals and families who lack prescription drug coverage and are not eligible for Medicare.

Many people do not realize that they have chronic kidney disease, or are at risk for developing it, until they have reached advanced stages of the condition. In fact, results from 37,000 individuals participating in the National Kidney Foundation's (NKF) Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) screenings showed that half of the participants, most of whom had risk factors, had chronic kidney disease, but only two percent were aware that they had chronic kidney disease.

"Ninety percent of the KEEP participants reported visiting their doctors in the last year yet most were not aware they could be at risk for chronic kidney disease," reported Dr. Allan Collins, president-elect of the NKF.

This makes it so important that those at high risk for chronic kidney disease learn to recognize early warning signs of the condition, such as anemia. In fact, the KEEP screenings showed that 21 percent of African-American participants with chronic kidney disease had anemia, a disproportionately higher rate than other races.

Anemia is a potentially debilitating condition that occurs when the body does not have enough red blood cells, which carry oxygen. Oxygen acts like fuel for the body, providing energy for muscles and organs to work. The kidneys produce erythropoietin, a hormone that tells the body to make red blood cells. As kidney function declines, the body may not make enough red blood cells, resulting in anemia. Symptoms of anemia include feeling tired or weak, shortness of breath, dizziness, decreased ability to concentrate and paleness.

People can learn more about chronic kidney disease, anemia and Strength in Harmony at www.StrengthinHarmony.com.

Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., is the marketer of PROCRIT(R) (Epoetin alfa).

About The COSHAR Foundation, Inc.

The COSHAR Foundation Inc., is a non-profit organization with a focus on health education through faith-based initiatives. COSHAR maintains the national Health Ministries Network, an organization of churches and church leadership that promotes health among more than 8,500 congregations. For more information on The COSHAR Foundation, visit www.COSHARFoundation.org.

About PROCRIT(R)

PROCRIT(R) (Epoetin alfa) is a prescription medication for the treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease patients who are not on dialysis and is injected by doctors or nurses.

PROCRIT(R) is not for patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure. High blood pressure has been noted in patients treated with PROCRIT(R) and blood pressure should be monitored carefully. Drugs like PROCRIT(R) may increase the risk of blood clots and seizures. Loss of response to PROCRIT(R) could be a sign of a very rare but serious condition. In studies, the most common side effects were high blood pressure, headache, joint pain and nausea.

Please visit www.PROCRIT.com for full prescribing information.

About Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.

Ortho Biotech Products, L.P. is a leading biopharmaceutical company devoted to helping improve the lives of patients with cancer and with anemia due to multiple causes, including chronic kidney disease. Since it was founded in 1990, Ortho Biotech and its worldwide affiliates have earned a global reputation for researching, manufacturing and marketing innovative products that enhance patients' health. Located in Bridgewater, NJ, Ortho Biotech is an established market leader in Epoetin alfa therapy for anemia management. The company also markets treatments for recurrent ovarian cancer, rejection of transplanted organs and other serious illnesses. For more information, visit www.orthobiotech.com.

Source: Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.

CONTACT: Stephanie Fagan of Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.,
office: +1-908-541-4029, cell: +1-201-572-9581, sfaganoe@gpcus.jnj.com; or
Laurie Elkin of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, office: +1-212-880-5257,
cell: +1-917-459-6164, laurie.elkin@ogilvypr.com, for Ortho Biotech Products,
L.P.

Web site: http://www.orthobiotech.com/
http://www.strengthinharmony.com/
http://www.cosharfoundation.org/
http://www.procrit.com/

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