Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Wins $55.4 Million Contract to Become Sole Operator of the National Cancer Institute Cancer Information Service

SEATTLE, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Cancer Institute has awarded a $55.4 million, multiple-year contract to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to become the nation's sole operator of its Cancer Information Service Contact Center.

The CIS is a free public telephone and Internet-based resource for personalized information about cancer prevention, screening and treatment. The Hutchinson Center has operated a CIS contact center since 1981.

The consolidation will allow operating hours to expand significantly, from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time weekdays for phone calls (previously 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Time weekdays for the popular "live help" chat service via the Internet (previously 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.).

"We love the service we provide to the public and we're happy to have the opportunity to continue to provide this service on a broader scale," said Nancy Zbaren, project director.

"We are the voice of the National Cancer Institute," said Dawn Sittauer, Seattle CIS contact center manager.

"When the public calls with any question or concerns, we are able to provide evidence-based information," Zbaren said. "We answer questions about cancer from patients, family members, physicians and the general public seeking clinical trials, treatment options, any question you an imagine. Our job is to provide information, not advice, in a compassionate and tailored manner."

At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, our interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists and humanitarians work together to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Our researchers, including three Nobel laureates, bring a relentless pursuit and passion for health, knowledge and hope to their work and to the world. For more information, please visit fhcrc.org.

CONTACT: Dean Forbes of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center,
+1-206-667-2896, dforbes@fhcrc.org

Web site: http://www.fhcrc.org/

Back to news