Profile of Merck's Gardasil Vaccine

Merck and Company's Gardasil(R) vaccine is one of two vaccines that can be given to prevent human papillomavirus,or HPV,a known cause of cancer.HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that infects more than half of sexually active men and women at some point in their lives.HPV can cause cervical cancer in women.Some 12,000 American women get cervical cancer annually;about 4,000 die from it.Worldwide,it is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.HPV is also associated with vaginal and vulvar cancer in women,and anal and oropharyngeal cancer in both men and women.*Gardasil can prevent most cases of cervical cancer if given before exposure to HPV.It can also prevent vagina and vulvar cancer,and anal cancer in both males and females.This 3-dose vaccine is recommended for girls and boys ages 11-12.It is given so young because even one sexual contact can transmit HPV,and response to the vaccine is best at this age.*Gardasil is also recommended for females ages 13-26 and males ages 13-21 who missed or did not complete the vaccination series at ages 11-12.It is also recommended for men through age 26 who have sex with other men or have wealened immune systems from HIV infection,other illnesses or medications.Gardasil may be given to men through age 26 who have not completed the 3-dose series.*Gardasil has been given for about six years now and has been very safe.Some people should not get the vaccine or should wait,such as those with severe allergies to vaccine components;pregnant women;and people who are moderately to severely ill at the scheduled time of vaccination.Your medical professional will assess Gardasil's appropriateness for you.*Research at Penn State Herhsey Medical Center contributed to the development of Gardasil.*Merck and Company Inc(MRK)

A Community Involved:The Jake Gittlen Cancer Research Foundation

The 43d annual Jake Gittlen Memorial Golf Tournament will be this Saturday and Sunday at the Hershey Country Club.The tournament was started in 1970 by Warren Gittlen as a tribute to his late father Jake,who died of cancer that year.The fundraising event supports the Jake Gittlen Cancer Research Foundation at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center,a world class laboratory that was instrumental in the development of the Gardasil(R) vaccine that prevents human papillomavirus,the leading cause of cervical cancer and also linked to head and neck cancer.The vaccine was initially for young women only,but it is now recommended for boys as well.
Brixton Albert,a native of Lititz,PA,is the defending champion in this important event on the region's golf calendar.Giant Food Stores is again supporting the tournament and the Foundation,along with vendor partners such as PepsiCo;General Mills;Kellogg's;Nestle;and Kimberly-Clark.Shopping at Giant Food Stores and purchasing vendor products supports the Foundation.The food retailer is part of Amsterdam-based Koninklijke Ahold AV.Giant has raised more than 5 million dollars for the Foundation since 1982,and is its main source of funding.
The research lab is currently working on such things as vaccine development,early cancer detection and finding new cancer therapies.
Hershey Country Club is located at 1000 East Derry Road,Hershey PA 17033.
Koninklijke Ahold NV(AHOMY)

From Thousands To Millions:The Jake Gittlen Cancer Research Foundation

The Jake Gittlen Cancer Research Foundation has grown fron raising 2500 dollars to a total well into the millions.Founded by Warren Gittlen as a memorial golf tournament to honor his father,who had died of cancer in 1970,the foundation funds oncology research at Penn State's Hershey Medical Center.It strives to recruit the top 10% of researchers,continuing to derive income from the golf tournament,the largest fund-raising amateur golf tournamnet in the U.S.It also receives funding from corporate sponsors-especially Giant Food Stores,which has donated over 5.4 million dollars over 28 years.Other sponsors include Giant vendors such as PepsiCo,Procter&Gamble,Clorox and Kraft Foods.
The foundation has raised more than 14 million to date.Its funds have been used to develop techniques and materials used in production of HPV vaccines such as Merck's Gardasil,a major preventitive of cervical cancer.This year,Gittlen Cancer Awareness Bracelets may be purchased for 10.00.The colorful beaded bracelets are handmade and show your support for cancer research,and all of the proceeds go to the Jake Gittlen Cancer Research Foundation.The bracelets may be purchased by emailing asgwmg@verizon.net.
Giant Food Stores operates hundreds of supermarkets in the Mid-Atlantic region.It is a brand of Dutch retailer Ahold.
Ahold(AHONY),Merck(MRK)