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Actelion Athletes to Swim, Bike and Run for the Scleroderma Foundation
 On June 5, a group of 24 athletes from Actelion Pharmaceuticals will swim, bike and run in support of the Scleroderma Foundation at the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon in San Francisco.
These athletes, dubbed Actelion Athletes, are raising awareness of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), sometimes also known as pulmonary hypertension (PH), which is a lung condition that can affect up to 60 percent of people with scleroderma.
"Our team has been touched over the years by people living with scleroderma who so bravely battle not only the primary disease, but other conditions that can accompany it like PAH," said Ernie Ross, senior director, Market Access, and an Actelion Athlete. "It is truly an honor to dedicate this race to these individuals who inspire us and through our participation, we hope to bring greater attention to finding cures for the scleroderma spectrum of diseases and PAH."
The Actelion Athletes group was formed three years ago by three co-workers who were training and competing in a triathlon; it quickly grew into a company-wide program. Over the years, the Actelion Athletes have competed in six triathlons, including two half Ironman races. In the last half ironman, not only did everyone finish the race but one team even made the top 10!
This year's group of athletes is gearing up to Escape from Alcatraz. The triathlon consists of a 1.5-mile swim from Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay, an 18-mile bike ride and an 8-mile run. The 24 athletes have divided into the following teams of three and each person on the team is responsible for either swimming, biking or running:
- Humuhumunukunukuapua'a
- The Tri Hards
- Placebo Effect
- ActeliAthletes
- The Fast Jumping Jalapenos
- Ro-Ho-Do
- Salty, Windblown and Sweaty
- Boom Vapor Gold
In the coming weeks, we'll introduce you to some of the Actelion Athletes - and learn a little more about them and their teams. As the athletes train hard for the race, please share your words of inspiration for them on our Twitter or Facebook pages. Choose your favorite team name and cheer them on to victory, let them know how much their support means to you!
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