MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MINN. – Oct. 16, 2007 – The American Cancer Society and chief executive officers of several of Minnesota's largest employers launched "CEOs Against Cancer" today in an effort to improve the health of their employees and organizations while preventing cancer and reducing the disease's devastating effects.

Minnesota became the second state in the nation to launch CEOs Against Cancer, following Illinois five years ago. Seven other states are rolling out similar initiatives yet this year, including Wisconsin in November 2007.

"It's a well known fact that the burden of health care is impacting our state's businesses," said American Cancer Society Minnesota Vice President Maribeth Swenty-Woodford. "The bottom line is that, by joining CEOs Against Cancer, executives can discover ways to better control their organization's health care costs and save lives."

Cancer is the cause of one in four deaths nationwide and the cost to fight the disease in the workplace is enormous. For instance, medical costs for employees diagnosed with cancer are five times higher - averaging more than $16,000 a year - than for those not being treated for the disease. Cancer is the leading cause of death in the working population ages 18-64. Annually, more than 1.2 million individuals are diagnosed with cancer.

In Minnesota, more than 25,000 individuals are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2007 and more than 9,000 will die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society's Cancer Facts and Figures 2007.

In addition to health care costs, employee illness costs include time off from work, lost productivity and lower employee morale.

“From personal experience, I know how difficult a cancer journey can be. I know that access to care and quality healthcare are important for a timely and successful recovery. HealthPartners’ relationship with the American Cancer Society is vital as we look to the future of healthcare,” said HealthPartners President and Chief Executive Officer Mary Brainerd.

CEOs Against Cancer was launched at a breakfast forum in Minneapolis featuring 3M Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer George Buckley, Johnson & Johnson Worldwide Vice President Gary Reedy, American Cancer Society Chief Executive Officer Dr. John Seffrin, American Cancer Society Midwest Division Chief Executive Officer Jari Johnston Allen, Minnesota Commissioner of Human Services Cal Ludeman, Brainerd and Swenty-Woodford.