BASKETBALL LEGEND KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR ANNOUNCES HE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH
CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKEMIA; AIMS TO INSPIRE OTHERS

Story Summary:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, known for his unblockable signature "sky hook" shot, has announced that he was diagnosed late last year with a rare type of blood cancer known as Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML). Kareem's cancer was diagnosed in November 2008 when a blood level test revealed an abnormally high white blood cell count, which is an initial indicator of the disease.

Ph+CML is a cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow; approximately 5,000 new cases are expected to be diagnosed this year. Until a few years ago, a diagnosis of Ph+CML could mean a patient had only a few years or months left to live. Because of new treatments, it is now considered a serious, but manageable cancer for many.

Kareem is being treated with a medicine that specifically targets the abnormal protein, known as Bcr-Abl, which causes this leukemia. Today, Kareem continues to live a very full life and is feeling good about the future. Now, he is partnering with Novartis Oncology and has a message for fellow patients with Ph+CML– work closely with your doctors and take all the necessary steps to actively manage your disease for the best possible outcomes.

For more information, Kareem is encouraging fellow patients with Ph+CML and their loved ones to visit www.CMLAlliance.com and www.CMLEarth.com. CML Alliance offers helpful disease education, information about how treatments work to fight this cancer, the testing that is done to monitor treatment response, and information on reimbursement support. CML Earth is a unique interactive social networking website that allows Ph+CML patients to connect with one another across the globe.

Soundbites

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• Dr. Michael Schuster, NY Presbyterian /Cornell Weill Medical Center

B-Roll Includes

• lifestyle footage of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• exterior shot of Novartis headquarters
• for NBA footage of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, please contact Joy Dellapina at the NBA: 201 974 6604

VIDEO PROVIDED BY: "Novartis"