USA – There are more new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed each year than any other non-skin cancer, and one in six men will face prostate cancer in his lifetime. To support getting the message out about this important cause, Major League Baseball All-Star pitchers John Smoltz of the Boston Red Sox and Derek Lowe of the Atlanta Braves have teamed up to join the “One A Day Men’s Presents MLB Strikeout Prostate Cancer Challenge” in an effort to raise awareness of prostate cancer and the things men can do that may help maintain their prostate health.

“Prostate cancer wasn’t something I ever really thought about until I learned how common it is. Now I want to do all I can to spread the word,” said Lowe. “I know now that there are a number of things men can do to support their prostate health like going to the doctor for regular check ups and getting proper screening to detect problems early. Along with a healthy diet, they can also take a multivitamin formulated specifically for men.”

This is the second year of the Strikeout Prostate Cancer Challenge. During the inaugural 2008 season, the program raised a total of $333,780. Based on that success, One A Day and Major League Baseball will again make a $10 donation for every strikeout recorded this season to The Prostate Cancer Foundation, the world’s largest philanthropic source of support for prostate cancer research.

“Prostate cancer is a disease that will affect one in six men in their lifetime, and yet we still do not talk about it enough. We are helping men realize the importance of prostate health,” said Smoltz. “I’m looking to strike out as many people as possible for such a good cause.”

To show their commitment to this important program, Lowe and Smoltz are also personally donating $10 to the Prostate Cancer Foundation for every strikeout they record during the 2009 season.

“The fight against prostate cancer is extremely important to Major League Baseball, and we’re thankful for all our valued business partner One A Day has done to support this very worthy cause,” said John Brody, Major League Baseball Senior Vice President, Corporate Sales & Marketing. “We applaud One A Day, The Prostate Cancer Foundation, and all within the Major League Baseball family who lend their support to this important initiative.”

“In addition to One A Day and MLB’s continued support, we are thrilled these well-known baseball players have become so involved in the effort to raise awareness of prostate cancer,” said Dave Perron, Vice President, Baseball and Sports Enterprises for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. “Through this program and the participation of John Smoltz and Derek Lowe, we know we’ll be able to do even more to find a cure for this deadly disease.”

One A Day is the official multivitamin of Major League Baseball, and both One A Day Men’s Health Formula, and One A Day Men’s 50 Plus Advantage are specially formulated to help support prostate health.

About Major League Baseball Properties

The Major League Baseball Clubs formed Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP) in 1966 as the Clubs’ agent for marketing and trademark licensing and protection. Major League Baseball Properties is responsible for managing consumer licensing activities, developing national advertising campaigns, cultivating sponsorship opportunities with major consumer brands and corporations, growing the game and the business of baseball outside the United States and creating national marketing programs in conjunction with Clubs, broadcast rightsholders and national sponsors. MLBP also operates a full-service video and audio production unit (Major League Baseball Productions), a publishing division and stock photo licensing agency, and manages logistics for the All-Star Game and World Series as well as all other special events.
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