American Lung Association Welcomes Marlborough's Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as Presenting Sponsor of Autumn Escape Bike Trek

The American Lung Association of the Northeast is pleased to welcome Sunovion as the presenting sponsor of its annual Autumn Escape Bike Trek (AEBT) being held on Cape Cod Friday, September 27 to Sunday, September 29. Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading pharmaceutical company based in Marlborough, Massachusetts, that specializes in treatments for people challenged by respiratory illness, was a premier sponsor of last year’s Trek and has since signed on as the first-ever title sponsor of the  event. AEBT is an 'at-your-own-pace' cycling tour taking participants on a picturesque journey from Plymouth to Provincetown all to raise money supporting the fight against lung disease. Riders can choose to either cycle 105 miles over two days, or 160 miles over three.

The company’s 60-member team, led by Team Captain Szymon Zietek, has been preparing for the Trek since January and has been committed to raising their level of support for the event in every way.  The team has boosted its internal communications to recruit new team members and held weekly training rides to ensure members are ready for the many mile journey. They even held a companywide bake sale during which members of Executive Staff and employees from all levels of the company wore their team t-shirts to encourage donations. The bake sale raised more than $2,000 in donations to support the team.

”The level of support and generosity from Sunovion employees has been just amazing,” said Zietek. who noted that a lot of the dollars team members have raised have been from their co-workers. “I’ve seen individual employees contribute to the fundraising efforts of multiple people who are riding in this event and I think it speaks to just how important the mission of fighting respiratory disease is to all of us here at Sunovion.”

Team Sunovion’s steadfast efforts certainly show. Last year the team had 19 members while this year, participation has more than tripled with a combined total of 60 trekkers and volunteers representing the team at the Trek. The company will continue recruitment efforts right up until the start of the Trek. In addition to the riders and volunteers from the home office, several company field representatives will be joining in the fun as well. One field sales representative is traveling to the Cape from Georgia to be part of the Trek. The team has already exceeded the $25,000 fundraising goal they set for themselves raising more than $35,000 to date, with several weeks yet to go before the event.

“Sunovion is very proud to support the American Lung Association,” said Rick Russell, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. “As a company dedicated to improving the lives of those suffering from respiratory illnesses, we are pleased to be the presenting sponsor of the Autumn Escape Bike Trek. Coming together to join community efforts to raise awareness and funds for the American Lung Association is very fulfilling for all of us at Sunovion.“

“We are grateful to have Sunovion as the presenting sponsor of our Autumn Escape Bike Trek,” said Jeff Seyler, President & CEO of the American Lung Association of the Northeast. “Sunovion’s commitment to people suffering from respiratory illnesses like asthma and COPD is in line with our mission here at the Lung Association to improve lung health and prevent lung disease.  With Sunovion’s support, we can do even more to find better treatments and cures for lung disease that will not only extend people’s lives, but improve the quality of people’s lives.”

About the American Lung Association of the Northeast

The American Lung Association of the Northeast serves CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI and VT. We are part of the American Lung Association, the oldest voluntary health organization in the U.S. Established in 1904 to combat tuberculosis; our mission today is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. The focus is on air quality, asthma, tobacco control, and all lung disease. www.LungNE.org

About Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.