Andre De Grasse and the Canadian Men's Relay Team Pass the Baton to Help Canadians Fight Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

Join the team as they raise awareness of this rare, but fatal, lung condition

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 20, 2017 /CNW/ - This fall, as part of the Roche Fight IPF Six-Minute Marathons initiative, Canadian sprinters and Olympic medalists Andre De Grasse, Akeem Haynes, Brendon Rodney and Aaron Brown will travel across the country encouraging Canadians to join them in a series of six-minute walks. For Canadians living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF),¹ a rare, but fatal lung condition,² a six-minute walk can feel like a marathon. 

"As runners, we understand the importance of every breath, and the positive impact having a team behind you has on morale and your ability to thrive," said Andre De Grasse, Olympic, World Championship and Pan Am Games medalist 100m, 200m and 4x100m. "That's why we have immense admiration for the way people living with IPF face challenges with such strength and determination, and the family, friends and healthcare professionals who help them live life to the fullest. We're passing the baton to Canadians; join us as we walk in 'Six-Minute Marathons' across the country."

The initiative is part of a larger international Fight IPF campaign, which seeks to create a community of support around people living with IPF, uniting them with those who love and care for them. It hopes to empower them to discuss their management options with their doctor early and to take action against IPF, today. Further information about IPF and the Fight IPF community can be found at FightIPF.ca and on the Fight IPF Canada YouTube channel.

Up to 30,000 Canadians may be affected by IPF, and the condition is responsible for an estimated 5,000 deaths.³ IPF causes irreversible and worsening scarring of the lungs that deprives the body of oxygen.⁴ Currently, there is no known cause for the condition and by the time symptoms appear, damage to the lungs has already begun.⁵ Early diagnosis is essential in the treatment of this condition to help slow the progression of scarring of the lungs.⁶ Respirologists sometimes use a six-minute walking test to help assess IPF and monitor how the condition is progressing over time.^7,8   

By walking alongside people living with IPF in 'Six-Minute Marathons', De Grasse and the team want Canadians to know that having a strong support system, or "team" of their own, can make all the difference in managing this condition. They are encouraging those living with IPF to rely on family, friends and healthcare professionals to help them stay active and learn more about the condition, so they can make informed decisions to help them stay active longer.

"IPF can make simple tasks that many of us take for granted extremely difficult. Climbing the stairs, getting dressed or even getting out of bed can be exhausting for IPF patients, requiring a period of rest immediately after. Living with this condition means learning to manage those challenges as best you can," said Fred Potter, living with IPF. "We want people living with IPF to know they don't have to face those challenges alone. The more connected you are to your support system, the better you can manage your condition – which means working closely with your doctor on a treatment plan and maintaining an active lifestyle that can help you maintain lung function."

About IPF

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) affects up to 30,000 Canadians and is responsible for 5,000 deaths each year.⁹ Every year, 6,000 people are diagnosed with IPF and this number is expected to increase as the population ages.¹⁰ Typical symptoms include: shortness of breath; a dry, hacking cough; loss of appetite; rapid weight loss; extreme tiredness and loss of energy.¹¹

For more information about IPF, visit FightIPF.ca, an online resource designed to inform and empower Canadians diagnosed with IPF and their family members. Additional information about the disease, resources and support can be accessed through the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at cpff.ca.

About Roche

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people's lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalised healthcare – a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible.

Roche is the world's largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management.

Roche Canada was founded in 1931. The company employs over 1,000 people across the country, with its pharmaceuticals head office located in Mississauga, Ontario, and diagnostics division based in Laval, Quebec. Roche Canada is actively involved in local communities, investing in charitable organizations and partnering with healthcare institutions across the country. For more information, visit www.rochecanada.com. 

All trademarks used or mentioned are legally protected.

References
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¹ Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient Information Guide. How Many People Have It? Accessed August 10, 2017. Available at: http://cpff.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IPF_Guide_2012_Final_V1.1_2015MAY01.pdf.
² Costabel, Ulrich. The changing treatment landscape in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. European Respiratory Review. 2015;24:65-68.
³ Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient Information Guide. What is Pulmonary Fibrosis? May 9, 2017. Available at:
http://cpff.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IPF_Guide_2012_Final_V1.1_2015MAY01.pdf 
⁴ Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient Information Guide. What is Pulmonary Fibrosis? May 9, 2017. Available at:
http://cpff.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IPF_Guide_2012_Final_V1.1_2015MAY01.pdf 
⁵ Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient Information Guide. What Are The Symptoms? Accessed May 9, 2017. Available at:
http://cpff.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IPF_Guide_2012_Final_V1.1_2015MAY01.pdf. 
⁶ Canadian Lung Association. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis – Treatment. Accessed on April 19, 2016. Available at http://www.lung.ca/lung-health/lung-disease/idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis/treatment. 
⁷ Du Bois, Roland M, et al. 6-minute walk distance is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. European Respiratory Journal. 2014;43:1421-1429.
⁸ Du Bois, Roland M, et al. Six-minute-walk test in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2011; 183:1231-1237. 
⁹ Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient Information Guide. What is Pulmonary Fibrosis? May 9, 2017. Available at:
http://cpff.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IPF_Guide_2012_Final_V1.1_2015MAY01.pdf 
¹⁰ Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient Information Guide. How Many People Have It? Accessed May 9, 2017. Available at:
http://cpff.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IPF_Guide_2012_Final_V1.1_2015MAY01.pdf.    
¹¹ Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient Information Guide. What is Pulmonary Fibrosis? May 9, 2017. Available at:
http://cpff.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IPF_Guide_2012_Final_V1.1_2015MAY01.pdf

SOURCE Roche Canada

please contact: Ashley Iyer-Dhillon, Roche Canada, [email protected] | 905-542-5907; Hibaq Ali, Weber Shandwick, [email protected] | 416-455-8326