The Facebook Fan Challenge Pays Off: 15-40 Connection Gains 10,000 Facebook Fans, Earns $10,000 Donation for Young Adult Cancer Awareness

Non-profit focused on raising awareness that cancer survival rates among 15-40 year olds have barely changed in 35 years grows from 150 Facebook fans to 18,000 fans in just three months

Worcester, MA - June 4, 2010 - The 15-40 Connection, a non-profit focused on cancer awareness, action and advocacy among healthy 15-40 year olds, received a challenge from an anonymous donor in March, 2010:  Get 10,000 people on Facebook to pay attention to the shocking gap in cancer survival rates among 15-40 year olds by June 1, and receive $10,000 to put toward the ongoing young adult cancer awareness effort. The 15-40 Connection announced today that it has met and exceeded that goal, growing its "like" fan base on Facebook from 150 at the start of the Challenge to 18,000 fans on June 1.

Nearly 70,000 Americans aged 15-40 are diagnosed with cancer every year. Despite all the lifesaving advances in cancer research in the last few decades, their survival rate has barely changed since 1975. The 15-40 Connection's mission is to create awareness that cancer is the #1 disease-related cause of death among 15 to 40-year-olds and promote early detection through advocacy and action.

"We are amazed by the interest and enthusiasm shared by our Facebook fans in closing the cancer survival gap and promoting early cancer detection among 15-40 year olds," said Jim Coghlin, Sr., founder of the 15-40 Connection. "The 15-40 Connection's thanks and gratitude goes to the anonymous donor who made the Facebook Fan Challenge possible and all the people who took up the effort to help us exceed our goal. Our hope is that this is only the beginning and more people age 15-40 will make their health a priority and become acutely aware of common signs of cancer so it can be treated early and help to improve survival rates."

15-40 year olds can help catch cancer early when it's easier to treat by building a relationship with a healthcare professional, being aware of their normal health and seeing their healthcare provider if they notice a change, and advocating for themselves if they know something just isn't feel right.

For more information on the importance of going to the doctor regularly and the chance to win a 2-carat diamond ring valued at $30,000, enter the 15-40 Connection's Rock the Doc contest at www.15-40.org/rockthedoc.

About the 15-40 Connection

The 15-40 Connection's mission is to create awareness that cancer is the #1 disease-related cause of death among 15 to 40-year-olds and promote early detection through advocacy and action. For more information about the 15-40 Connection, please visit www.15-40.org. Become our fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @1540Connection and tune into our YouTube Channel "The1540Connection."

Media contact:

Dawn Sullivan or Brandie Gerrish
Hart Boillot
781-893-0053
dsullivan@hartboillot.com
bgerrish@hartboillot.com

15-40 Connection Contact:

Tricia Laursen
Director, External Relations
508-713-0654