Chicago, IL – (July 22, 2013) – Better Brands Beverage Co. announced that it has chosen Florida to be among the first states to launch Salute American, a new brand with a purpose.  The Company’s inaugural offering is an American-made, premium vodka that’s committed to investing in the future of U.S. veterans who have proudly served their country.  To that end, the Company will donate one-dollar for every 750ml bottle sold to approved veterans’ charities – a declaration etched on every bottle.

Earlier this year, Salute American made its first donation in the amount of $25,000 to Veteran’s Farm through Work Vessels for Veterans (WVFV), an all-volunteer movement that assists returning veterans with the necessary start-up tools to begin their civilian career or educational pursuits.  This donation will enable Adam Burke, Veteran’s Farm Founder, a veteran and now blueberry farmer in Jacksonville, FL, to purchase farm equipment, supplies and housing for more U.S. Veterans to work on their farms.

“Veteran’s Farm is grateful to Better Brands Bevco. for their unwavering commitment to help and support Veterans,” said Adam Burke.  “Salute American Vodka demonstrates our ‘By Americans, For Americans to help Americans’ motto and will inspire millions across this country to take action.”

In addition, Salute American has partnered with Purple Heart Homes (PHH) to renovate a home in Jacksonville, Florida, for Service Connected Disabled Army Veteran PFC Jeffery Taylor and his family.  PHH provides personalized housing solutions for Service Connected Disabled Veterans and their families that are substantial in function, design and quality.

“Purple Heart Homes is proud to partner with Salute American to assist those veterans who have covered our backs and been tragically wounded while fighting for our nation’s freedom,” said co-founders, Dale Beatty and John Gallina.  

Salute American is the brainchild of CEO-founder Pete Kelly, a passionate entrepreneur who wanted to make a difference in people’s lives through the ‘pay-it-forward’ philosophy.  Pete couldn’t think of a more deserving group than U.S. Veterans – a band of brothers with increasingly high unemployment and homelessness rates*.  Salute American became a practical way to help maintain and create jobs in the US for veterans, and to generate ongoing economic success, stronger families and stronger communities.

“Salute American is more than a name – it’s our mission,” said Pete Kelly, CEO-founder, Better Brands BevCo.  “We prove our patriotism by giving back and paying it forward.”

Salute American Vodka is pure American from start to finish.  The vodka, which was approved for the USA Certified™ Seal, is made from corn and wheat grains straight from the heartland.  It’s then four times distilled for a smooth and sweet taste that works well mixed or neat.  The canteen-shaped bottle bearing the red, white and blue, was manufactured in Park Hills, Missouri, by Piramal, and distilled and bottled at Lidestri Spirits in Rochester, NY.

In addition to Florida, the brand is available in on- and off-premise accounts in Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri and Southern Illinois.  The suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle is $19.99, which may vary by market.  Salute American Vodka is 80-proof and 40% alcohol by volume.  The brand recently received a Silver Medal and an 87-point “highly recommended” rating from the prestigious Beverage Testing Institute in the category of “Best Value Vodka $20 and under.”  For more information, please visit www.saluteamerican.com “like” us on facebook www.facebook.com/SaluteAmericanVodka and follow us on twitter @SaluteAmerican.

* According to Labor Department Data, the unemployment rate among male veterans, ages 18-24, is nearly 27%.  There are currently more than 100,000 homeless Vets in the US.

About Better Brands BevCo.

Privately owned and Midwest-based, Better Brands Beverage Co. is a for-profit company committed to investing in Veterans Charities that create jobs for Veterans.  The Company was founded in 2012 by CEO Pete Kelly who passionately believes in making a difference in people’s lives through the ‘pay-it-forward’ philosophy.

About Purple Heart Homes

Purple Heart Homes is a 501 c3 founded by Dale Beatty and John Gallina, two Iraq combat wounded veterans that remain on a mission to provide housing solutions to service connected disabled veterans and their families. Driven by the belief that no Veteran should be left behind, Purple Heart Homes, together with community, is committed to ensuring quality of life solutions for disabled American Veterans from all eras. For more information see: www.purplehearthomesusa.org or call 855-PURPLE9

About the Project

Purple Heart Homes, Bank of America, GE Aviation, Salute American Vodka and Lifetime’s TV Show Designing Spaces are engaged in renovating a home at 10958 Horse Track Road.

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(July 9, 2013) – Louisville Distilling Co. LLC, producers of the highly celebrated Angel’s Envy bourbon, announced today that it will construct a new state-of-the-art distillery and brand experience center in downtown Louisville.

The company has concluded a deal with the State of Kentucky for the purchase of property on the corner of Main Street and Jackson, formerly known at the Vermont American Building and Baer Fabrics. An official ribbon cutting ceremony, welcoming special guests Governor Steve Beshear and Mayor Greg Fischer, is planned for Tuesday, July 9 at 1:00pm.

“We are thrilled to have such an amazing location for our new distillery,” said Marc Bushala, President and CEO of Angel’s Share Brands LLC, the parent company of Louisville Distilling Co. LLC. “We have spent the past two years evaluating potential sites in downtown Louisville, looking for the perfect property. The City has been great to work with and very supportive in our efforts to find the ideal location.”

Louisville Distilling Co. plans to invest approximately $12MM in the renovation of the Vermont American and Baer Fabrics buildings and equipment. LDI has hired Louisville-based Joseph & Joseph Architects to manage the project, which will house the Angel’s Envy distillery operations, as well as a “brand experience” center that will be open to the public and include guided tours of the distillery.

Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson noted, “I feel blessed to do what I truly love to do. It is a dream come true to have my own distillery on Main Street in downtown Louisville.”

Wes Henderson, son of Lincoln Henderson and C.O.O. for Angel’s Share Brands added, “We are constructing a fully functioning distillery, from milling of grains to blending and bottling on site. The Angel’s Envy distillery will be a must-see experience on the Urban Bourbon Trail.”

The Company also announced today that Louisville based private equity firm Blue Equity, LLC has made a significant investment in its parent company, Angel’s Share Brands. Blue Equity, LLC Chairman and Managing Director Jonathan Blue said, “We are very pleased to have joined the investment group at Angel’s Envy. In just a few years, Angel’s Envy has been recognized as one of the best bourbons on the market. With the launch of the new distillery and brand experience center, the future looks even brighter for this incredible brand.”

“This is an exciting addition to Kentucky’s vibrant bourbon industry, with Angel’s Share Brands creating 40 new jobs and investing $10 million in a new distillery,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “As bourbon continues to gain in popularity across the world, we will continue to work hard to foster new opportunities for jobs and investment. We take a lot of pride in this signature product, and the industry’s global success shows the type of dedication and craftsmanship that makes Kentucky stand out.”

“We are delighted that Angel’s Envy has selected Main Street for its Louisville distillery,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “It is exciting that we will have an iconic bourbon brand as part of the history and culture that makes up this vital corridor of Louisville’s downtown. Angel’s Envy’s dedication to its quality product and economic commitment to the Louisville community are both representative of what makes Louisville and Kentucky the bourbon capital of the world.”

Louisville Distilling Company expects the new distillery to be up and running in 2014.

Angel’s Envy has released three Expressions to-date, each of which exhibits Lincoln Henderson’s passion for experimenting outside of conventional norms and producing unique whiskey steeped in tradition, but finished with a twist.

– Bourbon Port Cask Finish, which is distilled for an unparalleled smoothness, aged for 4-6 years in American white oak barrels and finished in hand-selected port casks for an incremental 3-6 months. Now available in more than 20 U.S. markets and China, the expression earned a 98/100 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine – the highest-ever rating for a bourbon – and five stars (highest recommendation) from F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal

– Cask Strength, a sold-out November 2012 limited release in Kentucky and Nashville, Tenn., which is aged to the perfect level of richness and maturity in the few American white oak barrels that made the cut. Paul Pacult of Spirit Journal named the Cask Strength “Best Spirit in the World” in the June 2013 issue, giving it five stars and noting it “deserves a sixth rating star”

– Rye Whiskey, a new Expression made with 95% rye and 5% malted barley that’s aged for at least six years in new American, charred oak barrels and finished in hand-selected Caribbean rum casks for up to 18 months. Now available in select markets, including Kentucky

For more information, please visit us at www.angelsenvy.com or on facebook https://www.facebook.com/AngelsEnvyBourbon and twitter (@angels_envy).

Angel’s Envy 2013. Heaven Can Wait. Please Drink Responsibly.

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Full-Service Neighborhood Grocery Store’s First Chicago Location Hosts Grand Opening Ceremony in Old Town on June 26 at 9:00am

Chicago, IL (June 26, 2013) – Plum Market, Old Town’s new neighborhood grocer for natural, organic, local and specialty items, will officially open its first Chicago location at 1233 N. Wells Street on Wednesday, June 26 at 9:00am.  The grand opening ceremony, which is open to the public, will include a celebratory toast and an official ribbon cutting by Alderman Michelle Smith of Chicago’s 43^rd Ward, and brothers Matt and Marc Jonna, the store’s co-founders.

All attendees will be treated to a variety of food demonstrations and free samples and can enjoy complimentary coffee between 9:00-11:00am at the new 1,200 square foot Intelligentsia coffee bar, which is situated adjacent to Plum Market.  Guests can also sign-up for a Plum Market myRewards Card, which allows members to earn 2% back on purchases and to receive special offers and invitations to upcoming events and promotions.

The fun continues throughout the weekend with in-store raffles and entertainment provided by local jazz singer Elaine Dame and musicians from the Old Town School of Folk Music.

The neighborhood grocer, who operates three additional stores in southeast Michigan, couldn’t be more thrilled to open their first Chicago store.  Privately owned and Midwest based since 2007, Matthew and Marc Jonna are third-generation retailers who grew up working in their father’s store and gained valuable industry experience.

“Old Town shoppers need more convenient neighborhood grocery store options,” said Matt Jonna, the store’s President & Co-Founder.  “Plum Market provides a high-quality selection of fresh product at competitive prices in a revolutionary and rewarding grocery shopping experience.”

Plum Market inspires guests to Live Well, with Taste.  The team works with local producers and growers to feature seasonal and hard-to-find products in each department, including a large selection of organic produce.  Along with full-service grocery accommodations and the highest-quality selection of natural, organic, local and specialty items, the store includes:

• Seasonal produce that’s purchased directly from the farm and tasted for optimal freshness including apricots, asparagus, beets, blueberries, peaches, plums, strawberries, summer squash, tomatoes, watermelon and locally-sourced herbs
• Local favorites from 100 Chicago-area businesses including Terry’s Toffee, Milk & Honey Granola, Red Hen Bread, Skinny POP, Mama Jess Pasta Sauce
• Vast assortment of hot and cold restaurant-caliber cuisine made fresh daily by in-house chefs for dining in-house, on the store’s outdoor patio or taking on-the-go
• All natural meats and sustainable seafood

• Bakehouse highlighting breads, coffee and pound cakes, cupcakes and desserts
• Green Living, Eco-family products and an Apothecary that houses a huge selection of vitamins and supplements and all natural body care
• Beverage program with an extensive selection of domestic and imported craft beers, premium and hard-to-find spirits and popular and boutique wines
  • Madeline Triffon, the first lady of wine, will contribute to the store’s wine selection and monthly ‘Mad Picks’.  An in-house wine bar will also feature an ongoing series of educational tasting events
• “Tabo Sushi by Takashi,” an in-store sushi kitchen overseen by Chef Takashi Yagihashi, featuring made to order cuisine, sushi rolls and maki
• 1,200 square foot Intelligentsia coffee bar situated adjacent to Plum Market
• Swirlberry tart frozen yogurt
• Everyday items to fully complete any shopper’s list

The family owned company is also excited to bring unique specialty items to Chicago including Zingerman’s Company of Businesses (Bakehouse, Candy and Creamery) and See’s Candies delicious sweets and chocolates.

Plum Market proudly hired 160 employees from the Chicago community to work in the new 27,000 square foot store, which provides an intimate and convenient neighborhood shopping experience.  The store features a sophisticated, yet minimal design and a layout that’s easy for guests to navigate.

Plum Market will operate with daily hours from 8:00am to 10:00pm.  The store’s friendly and knowledgeable team members are committed to delivering the best possible experience through extraordinary service.  Guests will enjoy free parking on the second level and then can easily gain access to the store by escalator, elevator and cart-a-lator.

For more information, visit www.plummarket.com join us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/PlumMarketChicago and follow us @PlumMarket on twitter (#PlumMarketCHI).  Plum Market is also active on Pinterest and Instagram.

About Plum Market^®

Plum Market^® offers a full-service shopping experience to inspire guests to live well, with taste.  The privately owned company is based in Farmington Hills, Michigan and has full-service grocery stores in Bloomfield Township, Michigan; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and West Bloomfield, Michigan.  Matthew Jonna and Marc Jonna are third generation retailers who grew up working for their father’s store, Merchant of Vino Marketplace, a natural, organic, and specialty food and wine store with six locations across the Midwest.  The chain attracted significant attention from competitors and in 1998 Whole Foods Market acquired the company.  Both Jonna’s continued to work with the Whole Foods Market executive leadership team.  Matt and Marc left Whole Foods Market to pursue developing a new grocery concept, later to become Plum Market with the first store location opening in 2007.

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TO OFFER MORE SUPPORT SERVICES HELPING MEN AFFECTED BY CANCER

LOS ANGELES — June 12, 2013 — The LIVESTRONG Foundation has received $6.2 million from its partner Movember, the global men’s health charity that asks men to grow a moustache for 30 days each November, while women support the efforts, to raise funds and awareness for cancers affecting men. The LIVESTRONG Foundation will allocate the $6.2 million over four years to expand its cancer support services to develop a male-specific program helping those affected by prostate and testicular cancer.

“The LIVESTRONG Foundation is incredibly grateful to Movember for their generous funding that will allow us to expand our reach to men affected by prostate and testicular cancer,” said Doug Ulman, LIVESTRONG Foundation President and CEO and three-time cancer survivor.  “With one out of every two men projected to receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, this funding comes at a critical time. We plan to put it to use immediately to improve the lives of men facing cancer today.”

The expanded program will meet the needs of men who have been affected by cancer, and their caregivers, family and friends. Through this program, men will have a single, national point of contact that will allow them and their loved ones to access a variety of support services.

This program will:

• Provide free online and phone support services, staffed by trained, bilingual patient navigators and social workers to help men and their loved ones
• Provide in-person patient navigators in Austin and Chicago
• Match those affected with a peer who has been through a similar cancer experience
• Connect men to the clinical trials in which they are eligible
• Help men access fertility preservation services and the funds to help pay for them
• Help men learn how to communicate with their children and loved ones about their diagnosis
• Provide one-on-one counseling services and access to support groups for those affected by the disease
• Allow men and their loved ones to access answers to questions about treatment options, side effects, and medical information
• In partnership with the Patient Advocate Foundation, provide a first-of-its-kind financial assistance program for patients who have radiation co-payments associated with the treatment of their prostate cancer.

The Foundation’s cancer support services are available in English and Spanish, and can be accessed in-person in Austin, Texas, and Chicago and via telephone (877-889-6016), and online at www.LIVESTRONG.org/GetHelp. This program will help those affected by cancer make well-informed treatment decisions and understand the options available to them. To learn more about the LIVESTRONG Foundation’s cancer support services visit, LIVESTRONG.org/GetHelp.

“We are incredibly proud to help fund the LIVESTRONG Foundation’s cancer support services, which has served 2.5 million people affected by cancer” said Adam Garone, CEO and co-founder of Movember. “Thanks to our Mo community who, to date, have helped contribute more than $14 million to the LIVESTRONG Foundation’s support services for people affected by the disease.”

Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death for men in the United States and currently affects more than two million American men. One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in American males between the ages of 15 and 35. It is also one of the most curable forms of cancer because treatment is so successful.

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About the LIVESTRONG Foundation

The LIVESTRONG Foundation provides free cancer support services to help people cope with the financial, emotional and practical challenges that accompany the disease. Created in 1997 by cancer survivor and philanthropist Lance Armstrong, the Foundation is known for its powerful brand — LIVESTRONG — and for its advocacy on behalf of survivors and their families. With its iconic yellow LIVESTRONG wristband, the Foundation has become a symbol of hope and inspiration around the world. Since its inception, the Foundation has served 2.5 million people affected by the disease and raised more than $500 million to support cancer survivors. One of America’s top cancer non-profit organizations, the Foundation enjoys a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and has been recognized by the National Health Council and the Better Business Bureau for its excellent governance, high standards and transparency. For more information, visit LIVESTRONG.org.

About Movember

Movember aims to forever change the face of men’s health through the power of the moustache, by raising awareness and funds for prostate and testicular cancer initiatives. The funds raised are directed to programs run directly by the Movember Foundation and our men’s health partners in each country. Together, the channels work to ensure that Movember funds are supporting a broad range of innovative, world-class programs in line with our strategic goals, in the areas of Awareness & Education, Survivorship and Research. Since 2003, 3 million participants have raised over $439MM for the cause, funding 550 research and survivorship programs globally, with official Movember campaigns taking place in 21 countries. Movember is fully accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and for the past two years, Movember has been named to the Global Top 100 NGO list by The Global Journal. For more information please visit www.movember.com. Movember is a registered 501(c)(3) charity.

Next Limited Release Set for November 2013

Louisville, Kentucky (June 11, 2013) – Angel’s Envy Cask Strength was named the “best spirit in the world” on Paul Pacult’s Top Spirits List in the June 2013 edition of Spirit Journal.  The brand tied for first with Highland Park 25-Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky.  The annual round up reviews the “five star distillates from all major spirits categories we’ve tasted over the preceding year,” says Pacult.  In an earlier review of Cask Strength, Pacult awarded the brand five stars (as he did with the Angel’s Envy bourbon port cask finish) – his highest recommendation – and noted, “this masterpiece deserves a sixth rating star.”

Pacult’s recent review says, “the port pipe aspect comes shining through right from the get-go on this supple, caramel-laden and pipe tobacco-like opening aroma.  Concludes long, roasted, meaty, winey, bakery shop bittersweet and fudge-like.  This is the American whiskey equivalent of the mythical Black Bowmore 1964 Sherry Oak Islay Single Malt.”

Released in November of 2012, Angel’s Envy Cask Strength sold out in weeks.  Due to the scarcity of barrels necessary for the enhanced finishing process, the company only released 600 total bottles in Kentucky and Nashville, Tennessee.  This November, the brand plans to release an additional 500 9-liter cases in select markets including Kentucky.

As with Angel’s Envy, the critically acclaimed super-premium bourbon of uncompromising character and quality, the Louisville Distilling Company gave Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson complete creative freedom to achieve a specific taste profile for Cask Strength.  Using locally sourced grains and Kentucky limestone water, this Expression was aged to the perfect level of richness and maturity in the few American white oak barrels that made the cut.  Lincoln chose to blend those barrels into a single batch and age the bourbon in hand-selected port casks until he tasted a previously undiscovered sweet spot.

“Once in a blue moon, we find barrels with unique characteristics that we squirrel away for special things,” says Lincoln Henderson, Master Distiller, Angel’s Envy.

“The secondary maturation for Cask Strength is unchartered territory,” says Wes Henderson, Chief Operating Officer and Master Ambassador, Angel’s Envy.  “We judge only a handful of barrels exceptional enough for this lengthy finishing process, which yields a rare and rich bourbon worth savoring.”

The suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle, which may vary by market, is $149.  A remarkably complex bourbon at 121-proof and 60.5% alcohol by volume, Cask Strength is best enjoyed with just a bit of water to release the flavor nuances.

Cask Strength Tasting Notes

Color – Beautiful red amber
Nose – Toasted vanilla bean, lots of Madeira, spice rack, soft oak
Taste – Full with a balance of sweet and dry
Finish – Long, pleasant finish

In addition to Cask Strength, Angel’s Envy also offers an award-winning Bourbon Port Cask Finish in more than 20 U.S. States and in China.  The bourbon is distilled for an unparalleled smoothness, aged for 4-6 years in American white oak barrels and finished in hand-selected port casks for an incremental 3-6 months.  The Company also recently launched a very limited release of Angel’s Envy Rye (select markets, including Kentucky), which uses 95% rye and 5% malted barley.  The whiskey, which has received rave reviews, is aged for at least six years in new American, charred oak barrels and then finished in hand-selected Caribbean rum casks (which began as small French cognac barrels) for up to 18 months.

For more information, please visit us at www.angelsenvy.com or on facebook and twitter https://twitter.com/Angels_Envy  @angels_envy

Angel’s Envy 2013.  Heaven Can Wait.  Please Drink Responsibly.

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SANTA MONICA, CA, May 30, 2013 —– The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) has received $7.7 million from their partner Movember, the global men’s health charity that gets men to grow and women to support the moustache for thirty days each November to raise funds and awareness for cancers affecting men. The PCF will allocate the $7.7 million to find better treatments and ultimately a cure, by funding accelerated research.

To date, Movember has donated more than $18 million to PCF to support prostate cancer research, funding nine game-changing PCF Research Enterprise awards in the U.S. and Great Britain.  The data generated from these Movember-funded projects has changed the daily practice of oncology for every patient with advanced prostate cancer in the Western World.

Movember-supported projects through PCF have ranged from prostate cancer research in clinical trials that helped accelerate the approval of two new drugs, Abiraterone and Enzalutamide, both used to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer; to a Movember Challenge Award at the University of Michigan led by Drs. Arul Chinnaiyan and Ken Pienta. This Movember Challenge Award created the world’s first integrated precision medicine program to perform genomic analysis from patient biopsies.  These results are discussed in a panel of multidisciplinary professionals including oncologists, bioethicists, pharmacologists and genetic counselors and customized therapy is suggested.

The SU2C-PCF Prostate Dream Team Translational Cancer Research Grant, funded in conjunction with Movember, will provide up to $10 million over three years working to identify the causes of resistance in an individual patient and help doctors tailor therapy for them.  Movember will fund $2.5 million of the Dream Team, along with $2.5 million from SU2C, and $5 million from PCF. This collaborative award will represent six world-class institutions; four campuses of the University of California (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Davis), Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.

“We are grateful to be partnered with Movember. What started out as a quirky idea among friends has turned into a global phenomenon,” said Jonathan W. Simons, MD, president and CEO of PCF. “No other organization in history has been this successful in moving the awareness needle and bringing in more dollars to support much needed research for prostate cancer and men’s health. The power of the Mo is encouraging discussion and saving lives.”

PCF looks forward to providing updates on this life-saving research and announcing several new Movember-PCF Challenge Awards in the next few months.

“Movember is committed to funding collaborative, innovative research with our partners at PCF to help men affected by prostate cancer,” said Adam Garone, CEO and co-founder of Movember. “Thanks to our Mo community, Movember has become the world’s largest non-government funder of prostate cancer research.”

Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death for men in the United States and currently affects more than two million American men. One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

About Movember

Movember aims to forever change the face of men’s health through the power of the moustache, by raising awareness and funds for prostate and testicular cancer initiatives. The funds raised are directed to programs run directly by the Movember Foundation and our men’s health partners in each country. Together, the channels work to ensure that Movember funds are supporting a broad range of innovative, world-class programs in line with our strategic goals, in the areas of Awareness & Education, Survivorship and Research. Since 2003, 3 million participants have raised over $440MM for the cause, with official Movember campaigns taking place in 21 countries. For more information please visit www.movember.com. Movember is a registered 501(c)(3) charity.

About the Prostate Cancer Foundation

The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) is the world’s leading philanthropic organization funding and accelerating research. Founded in 1993, PCF has raised more than $530 million and provided funding to over 1,600 research projects at nearly 200 institutions in 16 countries around the world. PCF advocates for greater awareness of prostate cancer and more efficient investment of governmental research funds supporting transformational cancer research. Our efforts have helped produce a 20-fold increase in U.S. government funding for prostate cancer. More information about PCF can be found at www.pcf.org.

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