Elekta to host cancer survivorship event at company’s Learning and Innovation Center (LINC) in Atlanta

Professional BMX athlete Josh Perry to share story of brain tumor treatment with Gamma Knife

Atlanta, GA United States — Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Elekta, a global cancer management company, will host an educational event on cancer survivorship on September 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Elekta’s North American headquarters in Atlanta. “Elekta’s Ultimate Ride to Survivorship” will feature Professional BMX athlete, Josh Perry, who will recount his 2012 treatment of a brain tumor with Leksell Gamma Knife®, Elekta’s radiosurgery system for treating brain disorders. 

An estimated 48,070 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in Georgia in 2015 and there are more than 350,000 survivors living in the state,” notes Bill Yaeger, Executive Vice President, Elekta North America. “Each year, thousands of patients and survivors search for credible information on the internet to help them make informed decisions for themselves or their loved ones. Because cancer care is very complex and there are so many treatment alternatives, Elekta considers the education of the public on cancer a vital mission. The ‘Ultimate Ride’ event is designed to increase awareness of the disease and its treatment and to honor cancer survivors.
 
At the event, Elekta will also announce the launch of an internet resource for individuals with brain cancer or other brain disorders – and will lead tours of the LINC, the company’s facility for training employees, customers and other cancer care professionals on its advanced cancer planning and treatment systems.
 
The website will be an interactive, informational and educational portal on Leksell Gamma Knife and the indications it can be used to treat. The site will provide patient and physician accounts of their Gamma Knife experience and how their lives were impacted by the treatment. The site also will provide information necessary to help patients and caregivers make educated decisions about treatment options.
 
BMX biker Josh Perry received Gamma Knife radiosurgery to treat a post-surgical recurrence of a benign tumor called a meningioma that was threatening his vision. His physician recommended Gamma Knife because the treatment would offer the precision to avoid an artery near the lesion. Josh’s experience inspired him to become a lifestyle coach for individuals who are undergoing cancer treatment.
 
I was thankfully given a second chance at life,” Josh says. “With that chance, I wanted to live the life I dreamed of while helping others to do the same and to become as healthy as possible. I also wanted to show others I'm no different than them – in the sense that we all possess the power to overcome adversity in our lives. I am living proof that anyone can achieve their goals when they put their minds to it, nourish their body, and think positively.
 
For more information and to register to attend, visit www.elekta.com/ultimateride. 

 

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About Elekta

Elekta is a human care company pioneering significant innovations and clinical solutions for treating cancer and brain disorders. The company develops sophisticated, state-of-the-art tools and treatment planning systems for radiation therapy, radiosurgery and brachytherapy, as well as workflow enhancing software systems across the spectrum of cancer care. Stretching the boundaries of science and technology, providing intelligent and resource-efficient solutions that offer confidence to both health care providers and patients, Elekta aims to improve, prolong and even save patient lives.

Today, Elekta solutions in oncology and neurosurgery are used in over 6,000 hospitals worldwide. Elekta employs around 3,800 employees globally. The corporate headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and the company is listed on NASDAQ Stockholm. Website: www.elekta.com Twitter: @Elekta.

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For further information, please contact

Gert van Santen, Group Vice President Corporate Communications, Elekta AB
Tel: +31 653 561 242
Email: gert.vansanten@elekta.com
Time zone: CET: Central European Time

Raven Canzeri, Global Public Relations Manager
Tel: +1 770 670 2524
Email: raven.canzeri@elekta.com
Time zone: EST: Eastern Standard Time

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