Siemens Proud to Announce Washington, D.C. Preview Screening for CANCER: EMPEROR OF ALL MALADIES

  • Ken Burns, Katie Couric, Siddhartha Mukherjee, Barak Goodman, Gregory Sorensen participate in March 20 event at the Newseum
  • Siemens sponsors landmark PBS cancer documentary
  • Three-part series based on Siddhartha Mukherjee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book airs on PBS Monday, March 30; Tuesday, March 31; and Wednesday, April 1

WASHINGTON--()--Today, Siemens joins WETA, the flagship Washington, D.C. public television station in hosting a preview screening for Ken Burns Presents CANCER: THE EMPEROR OF ALL MALADIES A Film by Barak Goodman at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. Ken Burns, Katie Couric, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Siddhartha Mukherjee, and filmmaker Barak Goodman will attend the preview along with Gregory Sorensen, MD, President and CEO, Siemens Healthcare North America. The Washington, D.C. screening is especially relevant as it comes at a time when healthcare funding and policy are topics of national conversation.

CANCER: THE EMPEROR OF ALL MALADIES, a three-part, six-hour documentary series directed by award-winning filmmaker Barak Goodman, executive produced by Ken Burns, and based on the book by Siddhartha Mukherjee, will air on PBS March 30, 31 and April 1. The documentary chronicles the 4,000-year effort to understand, treat, and ultimately cure cancer. Siemens’ investment in the production is synergistic with the company’s mission of innovating to advance human health and aligns with Siemens’ goal to increase awareness of the need for cancer research in pursuit of effective and lasting patient treatments.

“Both the book and the film demonstrate that we have made astounding progress in understanding the complexities of cancer, particularly in the past few decades,” said Dr. Sorensen. “We can identify the sometimes subtle differences between different cancers, and tailor treatment accordingly. We can target cancerous cells while leaving healthy cells intact. We can monitor cell shrinkage and manage side effects better. We have more hope today than ever before.”

“Public media is uniquely suited to explore such a complex subject as the story of cancer. Through this film and the nationwide engagement campaign, all of us involved with this project hope to profoundly reshape Americans’ understanding of this affliction, to help people to know their options and seek treatment early,” said Sharon Percy Rockefeller, president and CEO of WETA, co-producer of the series. "Cancer will touch everyone in some way. The statistics are staggering: in our lifetimes, 1 in 2 men, 1 in 3 women, and 1 in 300 children will have the disease. Our hope is to bring conversations about cancer into the open, so that we become better advocates for ourselves, our loved ones and our society."

Siemens invests in research to support the development of advanced technology that can help diagnose and manage disease. The company offers a comprehensive and unique set of oncology solutions to help physicians provide the best possible cancer care for their patients.

“We owe much of our current understanding of the cancer process in humans to the tremendous advancements in medical imaging, laboratory tests, and technology solutions -- all of which contribute to selecting better treatment options, an improved ability to measure results, and the opportunity for advanced research analysis,” said Dr. Sorensen. “Through our commitment to innovation, we put the most sophisticated tools in the hands of the people who are actively shaping our understanding of cancer.”

Since the late 1890s, Siemens has been delivering tools for physicians and researchers on the forefront of medical research.

  • In 1896, Siemens developed the first industrially manufactured X-ray tubes for medical diagnostics.
  • In 1957, Siemens performed the first automation of chemical analysis.
  • In 1962, Siemens pioneered the first real-time ultrasound diagnostics.
  • In 2000, Time magazine named the Siemens Biograph positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET/CT) system as an Invention of the Year – the system was one of the first to fuse information about tumor metabolism with anatomical images.
  • In 2004, Siemens introduced the MAGNETOM® Espree, an ultra-short-bore 1.5 tesla scanner with a 70 cm wide bore, allowing for more than 60 percent of exams to be completed with the patient’s head outside of the bore, easing issues of claustrophobia.
  • In 2013, Siemens introduced the Symbia Intevo™ xSPECT system, which fully integrates single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and CT so physicians can identify and follow disease over time with quantitative capabilities to adjust treatment earlier.
  • In 2014, Siemens received FDA clearance for the SOMATOM® Force CT system, which advances preventive care initiatives with low-dose lung and colon imaging.

Note: Broadcast quality video and images available after event

About Siemens

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 165 years. With 343,000 employees in more than 200 countries, Siemens reported worldwide revenue of approximately $98 billion in fiscal 2014. Siemens in the USA reported revenue of $22.2 billion, including $5.2 billion in exports, and employs approximately 50,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The company is a leading provider of medical imaging equipment – such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging systems – and a leader in laboratory diagnostics as well as clinical IT.

Contacts

Siemens
Amanda Naiman, 484-680-4427
amanda.naiman@siemens.com
or
Lance Longwell, 610-448-1473
lance.longwell@siemens.com
www.twitter.com/SiemensHealth
www.facebook.com/TheBatonPass

Release Summary

Siemens joins WETA in hosting a screening for Ken Burns Presents CANCER: THE EMPEROR OF ALL MALADIES A Film by Barak Goodman in Washington, D.C. Siemens is a sponsor of the PBS cancer documentary.

Contacts

Siemens
Amanda Naiman, 484-680-4427
amanda.naiman@siemens.com
or
Lance Longwell, 610-448-1473
lance.longwell@siemens.com
www.twitter.com/SiemensHealth
www.facebook.com/TheBatonPass