Cepheid, a leading molecular diagnostics company, has launched its mobile community for the recently announced 'Ride Against TB' campaign to benefit the American Lung Association. The goal of the campaign is to raise overall awareness of the need for improved diagnostic solutions for tuberculosis (TB) and to raise funds to benefit the American Lung Association in its fight against all lung disease.

Beginning today, legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including District of Columbia) who will be at least eighteen (18) years of age as of February 27, 2014 can text RIDE to 50555 to join our mobile community.

"Translating recent major technological advances in the detection and diagnosis of TB into meaningful improvements in clinical care will be greatly facilitated through increased TB awareness within the US," said John Bishop, Cepheid's chairman and CEO. "We are excited to once again collaborate with the incredible team at Paul Jr. Designs, who have created another stunning bike that will benefit this worthy cause. By joining our mobile community you can help Cepheid and the American Lung Association elevate TB awareness within the US in the ongoing fight against all respiratory disease."

The 'Ride Against TB' campaign was announced at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) annual meeting and Clinical Lab Expo in Houston on July 30.

"The American Lung Association was founded in 1904 to fight tuberculosis," said Harold P Wimmer, national president and CEO of the American Lung Association. "Despite popular misconceptions that TB is a disease of the past, it continues to pose a threat to public health. A century ago, TB was a leading cause of death in the United States. In the US, tuberculosis disease and deaths have declined steadily from the early 1900s due largely to the introduction of effective antibiotics and improvements in living conditions. Our goal is to raise public awareness of the need for improved diagnosis and treatment options for lung disease patients and to increase access to appropriate health care for all."

Cepheid is a leading molecular diagnostics company that is dedicated to improving healthcare by developing, manufacturing, and marketing accurate yet easy-to-use molecular systems and tests.

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.