On May 31, 2016 Baxalta Incorporated, a global biopharmaceutical leader dedicated to delivering transformative therapies to patients with orphan diseases and underserved conditions, reported the unveiling of an initiative that illustrates the perspectives of those impacted by rare cancers, created in partnership with photographer Rick Guidotti of Positive Exposure (Press release, Baxalta, MAY 31, 2016, View Source [SID:1234512924]). The photo exhibit, Rare Cancer Illuminated: a View From Within, debuts on June 2 in Chicago as part of The Atlantic’s "The Search for Answers: Fighting Rare Cancers," which Baxalta is underwriting.

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"The Search for Answers: Fighting Rare Cancers"
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This press release has an accompanying Smart Marketing Page providing further details about the organization, products and services introduced below. You can access the Smart Marketing Page via the following link: View Source

People living with rare and underserved cancers often experience difficulty with disease recognition, late or inaccurate diagnosis,1 limited treatment options, and scarcity of clinical trial availability or registries.2 Through photography, Guidotti and Baxalta aim to raise awareness and understanding of the unique challenges that rare cancer communities face and encourage greater collaboration to achieve more efficient diagnoses, treatment, access, and support.

The exhibit gathers individuals connected by various types of rare adult, pediatric, and adolescent cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and aims to illuminate the passion that drives them daily. While there is no international consensus on the definition of rare cancer, it is defined as fewer than 15 per 100,000 cases per year in the U.S.3 In Europe, rare disease is defined as those with a prevalence of fewer than 50 per 100,000 cases.3 Underserved cancers are typically referred to as those receiving inadequate physical or emotional resources.

"At Baxalta, our mission is to improve the lives of individuals affected by rare cancers through the use of innovative technologies and approaches, such as harnessing the body’s immune system," said David Meek, Executive Vice President and President, Oncology, Baxalta. "Our collaboration with Positive Exposure aims to raise awareness of rare cancers and to unite the community to drive action."

Guidotti founded the not-for-profit organization, Positive Exposure, in 1998, to celebrate and understand human diversity. Using photography, Guidotti aims to change public perception by helping people to see beyond standard definitions of beauty and arrive at their own interpretation. Rare Cancer Illuminated: a View From Within features photographs by Guidotti of rare cancer community members including those who have been diagnosed with cancer, their family and friends, advocacy organizations, and healthcare professionals. The exhibit will travel to Europe later this year.

"Baxalta’s commitment to serving rare cancer communities aligns with my vision to see beyond disease or diagnosis and celebrate our shared humanity," said Guidoitti, Founder, Positive Exposure. "We hope that people who experience this exhibit are able to take away a greater sense of understanding and compassion for communities that are up against these challenges, and feel empowered to learn more and become part of the effort to bring solutions."

The exhibit includes representation from leading advocacy organizations including: American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; Austrian Childhood Cancer Organization; the Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Foundation, Inc.; PAN-Austria (Patient Advocacy for Adolescents and Young Adults with Neoplasia); Pancreatic Cancer Action; Stupid Cancer, Inc.; and TEB e.V. Germany (translated to Tumors and Diseases of the Pancreas). Together, their stories focus on the need for improved delivery and access to critical resources and support worldwide.

The Atlantic’s "The Search for Answers: Fighting Rare Cancers," underwritten by Baxalta, will take place on June 2 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. CDT in Chicago ahead of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) annual meeting. The event will focus on topics such as the fight against rare cancer, the role of advocacy organizations, the White House’s Moonshot Initiative, patient access, and support networks. Confirmed speakers include: Richard Schilsky, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Chief Medical Officer and co-author of Value Framework; American Cancer Society Deputy Chief Medical Officer J. Leonard Lichtenfeld; and Kim Thiboldeaux, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Support Community.

This event is open to media; please RSVP directly to The Atlantic’s Sydney Simon ([email protected]; 202-266-7338) to attend. A live stream of the afternoon’s conversations will be available beginning at 2:30 p.m. CDT on June 2 on AtlanticLIVE’s website where it will be archived for later viewing.