Dialysis Patient Achieves Dream by Completing Cross-country Cycling Tour

Business Wire, July 26, 1999

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 26, 1999--

Kidney Failure Could Not Deter Teacher From Achieving His Dream

A 30-year-old dialysis patient with kidney failure has accomplished his lifelong goal of bicycling 2,700 miles across the country, distinguishing him as the first person without functioning kidneys to ride coast to coast. Along the way, Bryon Vouga was welcomed by a ceremonial dance by the Hopi-Pima Indians in Phoenix, an emotional meeting with young dialysis patients at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston and a proclamation from Governor George W. Bush at the state capitol in Austin.

People in towns throughout Bryon's journey showed their enthusiasm and support by creating welcome banners and coming out to catch sight of him as he biked mile after mile across deserts, bridges and major highways. Local reporters in some cities rode on bicycles along with Bryon to get their interviews while some police enforcement agencies provided escorts along the route.

Bryon's mission was to raise awareness about kidney disease and to demonstrate that people who have life-threatening illnesses can achieve their dreams.

The ride, "Dare to Dream," sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation of Southern California (NKFSC) and Amgen, a leading biotechnology company, began in Huntington Beach, Calif. on June 25, and took 31 days to complete. Bryon dialyzed and spoke to patients at 15 dialysis centers along the way and received inspiration from numerous patients and health care providers many of whom were able to follow the ride via an interactive website.

"Although I accomplished my dream, my hope is that I inspired many dialysis patients to know that they can accomplish their dreams, too," said Bryon, a high school teacher from Yorba Linda, Calif. "I want to thank the people I met in all the towns across America for helping me achieve my goal."

Bryon's accomplishment is a lifelong dream, one that he could not have considered undertaking more than a decade ago. In his teens, Bryon was diagnosed with kidney disease, clinically known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Prior to age 25, Bryon had experienced two failed kidney transplants and was on dialysis, a treatment necessary to purify his blood. End-stage renal disease can often be accompanied by debilitating anemia, a condition which many times left Bryon unable to get out of bed.

But much changed for Bryon in 1989, with the introduction of EPOGEN(R) (Epoetin alfa), a groundbreaking biotechnology drug that helps dialysis patients produce red blood cells. EPOGEN works by signaling Bryon's bone marrow to increase his red blood cell count, the cells that carry oxygen throughout the body, thereby giving the body energy to perform its critical functions.

"I cannot think of a more appropriate way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the introduction of EPOGEN than the culmination of Bryon's cross-country journey," said Gordon Binder, Amgen's chief executive officer and chairman. "Bryon is a remarkable inspiration to all of us."

During his ride Bryon raised money for the NKFSC to help with the Foundation's programs and research into kidney disease.

"Bryon is a true role model not only for dialysis patients but for everyone who strives to achieve their dream," said Mohammad Akmal, M.D., NKFSC chairman. "Through his ride, Bryon has raised awareness about the medical consequences of kidney disease but more importantly about the psychological impact which is often overlooked."

Additional information on Bryon's ride can be obtained at www.bryonsride.com.

EPOGEN is indicated for the treatment of anemia in dialysis patients with chronic renal failure. Patients who receive EPOGEN may experience adverse events such as hypertension or flu-like symptoms.

Amgen is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets cost-effective human therapeutics based on advanced cellular and molecular biology.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Full prescribing information available upon request.