TUCSON, Arizona – PGA TOUR Champions, Exact Sciences (NASDAQ: EXAS) – the makers of Cologuard®, The First Tee of Tucson and the Tucson Conquistadores announced today a five year extension of the Cologuard Classic, contested annually at the Omni Tucson National Resort. The announcement extends the current partnership through the 2025 season.
“The PGA TOUR has a long and storied history in Tucson, and we are excited to continue building on that great foundation with today’s Cologuard Classic extension announcement,” said PGA TOUR Champions President Miller Brady. “Exact Sciences has been a tremendous title sponsor over the last two years, and more importantly, a committed partner to such an important cause. By combining their efforts with those of the Conquistadores, we have the perfect springboard from which to make a societal difference through our sport.”
Exact Sciences is a Madison, Wisconsin-based company committed to delivering innovations in early cancer detection. Cologuard is an easy-to-use, noninvasive colon cancer screening test based on the latest advances in stool DNA technology. It is for adults 45 years or older who are at average risk for colon cancer, helps detect both cancer and precancer, and is available by prescription only.
“The Cologuard Classic has proven to be a significant platform to help raise awareness of colorectal cancer and to drive the vital importance of early detection,” said Mark Stenhouse, President, Cologuard at Exact Sciences. “We are proud to continue our title sponsorship with PGA TOUR Champions and look forward to the many opportunities the Cologuard Classic will bring to the great city of Tucson.”
In November of 2017, Exact Sciences was named title sponsor of the Cologuard Classic, contested each March, which strategically kicks off national Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Since that announcement, PGA TOUR Champions players (including Cologuard ambassador Jerry Kelly) and the Tucson Conquistadores have participated in a pledge to get screened for colon cancer, and tournament week has been used as a platform to support critical messaging tied to colon cancer awareness. While the tournament message has reached a national audience, locally, the Cologuard Classic has impacted the lives of many colon cancer survivors, advocates, caregivers.
Over the past five years, charity and community impact have been at the core of the event, with the Exact Sciences partnership taking those efforts to new heights. The First Tee of Tucson and Tucson Conquistadores provide less-fortunate children with the character-building experience of participating in sports. Since 1962, the group has contributed over $35 million to youth athletic programs. The PGA TOUR and its tournaments donated more than $190 million to charitable causes in 2018, in turn bringing the all-time total generated for charity to $2.84 billion since 1938.
“We are grateful for the partnership with Exact Sciences and PGA TOUR Champions that will allow us to continue enjoying professional golf in Southern Arizona through 2025,” said Tucson Conquistadores President Tom Clark. “The extension is a testament to the collective commitment on raising awareness of colorectal cancer and continuing to make a difference in Tucson youth sports for many years to come.”
The 2020 Cologuard Classic returns to Omni Tucson National the week of February 23 – March 1. For more information on the Cologuard Classic, please visit CologuardClassic.com.
ABOUT EXACT SCIENCES CORP.
Exact Sciences Corp. is a molecular diagnostics company focused on the early detection and prevention of some of the deadliest forms of cancer. The company has exclusive intellectual property protecting its non-invasive, molecular screening technology for the detection of colorectal cancer. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.exactsciences.com, follow Exact Sciences on Twitter @ExactSciences or find Exact Sciences on Facebook.
ABOUT COLOGUARD
Cologuard is intended for the qualitative detection of colorectal neoplasia associated DNA markers and for the presence of occult hemoglobin in human stool. A positive result may indicate the presence of colorectal cancer (CRC) or advanced adenoma (AA) and should be followed by diagnostic colonoscopy. Cologuard is indicated to screen adults of either sex, 50 years or older, who are at typical average-risk for CRC. Cologuard is not a replacement for diagnostic colonoscopy or surveillance colonoscopy in high risk individuals.
Cologuard is not for high risk individuals, including those with a history of colorectal cancer and advanced adenoma, a family history of colorectal cancer, IBD or certain hereditary syndromes. Positive Cologuard results should be referred to diagnostic colonoscopy. A negative Cologuard test result does not guarantee absence of cancer or advanced adenoma. Following a negative result, patients should continue participating in a screening program at an interval and with a method appropriate for the individual patient. Cologuard performance when used for repeat testing has not been evaluated or established. Rx only.
ABOUT THE TUCSON CONQUISTADORES
The Tucson Conquistadores are the tournament management team that oversees the operations and the sales arm of the PGA TOUR Champions’ Cologuard Classic. Since their inception in 1962, the Conquistadores have contributed more than $35 million to local and national charities. The Conquistadores comprise of up to 60 active business and professional members, and a total membership of 215 who represent a cross-section of the Tucson community. In addition to their involvement with professional golf, the group has established the Tucson Conquistadores Foundation. Key beneficiaries of the Conquistadores' fundraising efforts include southern Arizona youth athletic programs, The First Tee of Tucson and colon cancer advocacy organizations. Follow the Tucson Conquistadores online at www.tucsonconquistadores.com, and Facebook.com/TucsonConquistadores.
Contacts:
Stewart Moore, StewartMoore@pgatourhq.com, 904-540-2765
Brian Gabriel, BGabriel@webershankwick.com, 312-988-2270
