April 24, 2009
CHARLESTON -- A $1 million gift from the AT&T Foundation, the philanthropy arm of AT&T*, to the Medical University of South Carolina's Hollings Cancer Center has enabled the cancer center to provide nearly 500 African Americans in South Carolina with free prostate cancer screenings or education. The significant contribution, pledged in 2007, also helped establish the AT&T Laboratory for Biomarkers in Cancer.
In less than two years, the AT&T contribution has meant that more than 300 men at high risk for prostate cancer have received free screenings from the Hollings Cancer Center's mobile health unit; and nearly 200 leaders and health-care advocates throughout the state have received "Train the Trainer" education about cancer risk and prevention to deliver in their own communities.
"This generous gift from AT&T strikes at the core of the Hollings Cancer Center's mission to reach the underserved populations of our state with the very best care, outreach, and education," said Andrew S. Kraft, MD, director of the Hollings Cancer Center. "South Carolina ranks third in the nation in prostate cancer deaths, with African American men facing the grimmest rates of incidence and mortality. This work continues, and we are thankful for AT&T's vision and support."
"AT&T is proud to have been a part of this collaborative effort with MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. We will continue to invest time and talent to strengthen our communities by supporting underserved populations and promoting education programs that create economic opportunities," said Pamela P. Lackey, president of AT&T-South Carolina.
Under Kraft's leadership, the AT&T Laboratory searches for new detection methods, or biomarkers, for prostate cancer. The center's research aims to find new ways to detect prostate cancer and predict therapeutic response. Ultimately, this contribution will allow Hollings Cancer Center to make a significant impact on the dire statistics of prostate cancer deaths in South Carolina. # # #
About Hollings Cancer Center
Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina is a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center and the largest academic-based cancer program in South Carolina. The cancer center and has more than $35 million in cancer research funding and more than 200 people are currently participating on a cancer clinical trial at HCC.
Hollings Cancer Center offers state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities, therapies and surgical techniques and has multidisciplinary clinics that involve surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation therapists, radiologists, pathologists, psychologists and many other specialists seeing patients under one roof. Multidisciplinary care is provided in disease specific clinics such as thoracic, breast, head & neck, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, hematological, and pediatric cancers. For more information, please visit www.hcc.musc.edu.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation's fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation's leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE(r) magazine's list of the World's Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.
About Philanthropy at AT&T
For 25 years, AT&T and the AT&T Foundation have been committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T supports projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. As the AT&T Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2009, more than $160 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs in 2008 alone.
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About MUSC
Founded in 1824 in Charleston, The Medical University of South Carolina is the oldest medical school in the South. Today, MUSC continues the tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and residents, and has nearly 11,000 employees, including 1,500 faculty members. As the largest non-federal employer in Charleston, the university and its affiliates have collective annual budgets in excess of $1.6 billion. MUSC operates a 750-bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children's Hospital and a leading Institute of Psychiatry. For more information on academic information or clinical services, visit www.musc.edu or www.muschealth.com.
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