Pfizer Inc and The Pfizer Foundation announced on "World Cancer Day", that they have awarded $7 million in 2009 to help 13 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focus on improving both treatment and prevention for cancer patients, through its Global Health Partnerships grants program (GHP).

Since 2007, 29 Global Health Partnerships grants have been awarded to NGOs working in more than 46 countries around the world. These new grants support the global commitment of the Pfizer Foundation and Pfizer's Oncology Business Unit to promote access to quality health care and education and to advance science and innovation in the development of breakthrough medicines that will cure or control cancer.

"These grants represent an important step in enabling us to partner with key scientists and organizations to encourage the advancement of cancer education and research globally," said Mace Rothenberg, M.D., vice president of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs for Pfizer's Oncology Business Unit. "This year's grants focus on critically important areas such as early breast cancer detection and education, establishment of patient navigation programs and methods to increase overall knowledge and understanding of cancer - all of which play an important role in the fight against cancer."

Cancer accounts for one in eight deaths globally - more than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. One in three people will get cancer in their lifetime: each year, more than 11 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed and close to 8 million people die from cancer. Among women worldwide, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. Globally there are an estimated 4.4 million women alive who have been diagnosed with breast cancer within the last five years. In developed countries, 30 per cent of women with earlier stages of breast cancer will eventually be diagnosed with metastatic disease. In developing countries, the majority of women with breast cancer are diagnosed with advanced stage disease.

The Pfizer Foundation Global Health Partnership programme is supporting 29 innovative public health programmes together with Pfizer Inc offices in support of both cancer and tobacco control by providing $47 million in funding over four years. Jointly funded by the Pfizer Foundation and Pfizer Inc, this year's $7 million investment in oncology will help cancer organizations to improve prevention, early detection and diagnosis for breast cancer; strengthen public awareness of cancer risks; increase patients' knowledge and understanding of treatment options, with a special focus on psycho-social factors; and engage in long-term capacity building efforts through training, technical assistance, and collaborative partnerships.

"We are grateful to the Pfizer Foundation for its support of our five-year cancer prevention program, 'Today's children, tomorrow's world'". We have run campaigns against second-hand tobacco smoke, unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity, overweight and obesity and conducted a survey of cancer beliefs and behaviour that policymakers everywhere will find useful in promoting cancer prevention", said, Isabel Mortara, UICC executive director.

The Global Health Partnerships grants will be evaluated by the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, whose task is to build sustainable evaluation capacity among grantees. "In partnership with Johns Hopkins and our outstanding partners, we are pleased to take a very rigorous approach to our programs, yielding learnings that strengthen national cancer agencies and improve public health policies and services for cancer patients," said Caroline Roan, vice president, Pfizer Foundation.

The 2009 Global Health Partnerships grants have been awarded to: UICC: International Union Against Cancer (Global Program) ; The New Hope in Health Foundation (Turkey); American Cancer Society Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Colombia, Argentina); American Cancer Society Asia (Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines); Akebono-Kai Breast Cancer Network (Japan); Health Policy Institute (Japan); Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China); Cause Marketing Fundraisers (South Africa); European Organization for Research & Treatment of Cancer, EORTC (Belgium); Irish Cancer Society (Ireland); The Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care & Prevention (USA); George Washington University Cancer Institute (USA); and Good Dog Foundation (USA).

The International Union Against Cancer (UICC), based in Geneva Switzerland is the leading international non-governmental organization dedicated solely to the global control of cancer. Its vision is of a world where cancer is eliminated as a major life threatening disease for future generations. With over 300 member organizations in more than 100 countries, UICC is a resource for action and a voice for change.

The Pfizer Foundation is a charitable organization established by Pfizer Inc. The Foundation is a separate and independent tax-exempt organization. The Foundation's mission is to promote access to quality health care and education, to nurture innovation, and to support the community involvement of Pfizer people.

The Global Health Partnerships programme is one of the Pfizer Foundation's signature initiatives reflecting Pfizer's global commitment to working with a diverse group of local NGO experts towards improving the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and reducing the disease's incidence and burden.

Pfizer Oncology is committed to the discovery, investigation and development of cancer treatments and currently has 22 innovative compounds in clinical development across four platforms.