LOS ANGELES, April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- ASCO Clinical Watch, a collaborative effort of Vital Options International and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), will launch on The Group Room, a weekly, nationally syndicated, call-in, radio, cancer talk show, Sunday, April 18, 2004, 1-3 p.m. PT (4-6 p.m. ET).
ASCO Clinical Watch is a short, informative feature of The Group Room, providing listeners with regular clinical updates about important developments in cancer treatment, research, and clinical trials. The 90-second segments will air monthly and content will include information relevant to cancer patients, survivors, advocates, and healthcare professionals. Each installment of ASCO Clinical Watch will be archived on the Vital Options website at http://www.vitaloptions.org/ and on ASCO’s consumer website at http://www.plwc.org/.
“ASCO Clinical Watch is a significant cancer communications initiative that will enhance our ability to bring medical consumers relevant and timely cancer news and information. It is an important step in breaking down barriers of communication and simplifying and clarifying information in a language that patients and their loved ones will understand. It is a privilege to work directly with the leading oncology professional society and it is our hope that information provided in ASCO Clinical Watch will help foster a greater dialogue between patients and their physicians about clinical trials and other clinical options,” says Selma Schimmel, Founder and CEO of Vital Options, a two time cancer survivor and host of The Group Room.
“We are very pleased by the opportunity to work with The Group Room to get important oncologist-approved information directly into the hands of the people who need it most -- namely patients,” said Robert Mayer, MD, Chair of ASCO’s Cancer Communications Committee.
ASCO is the world’s leading professional society of multidisciplinary physicians who treat people with cancer. ASCO provides people with access to accurate, reliable, oncology-approved information through its award-winning consumer website People Living With Cancer (http://www.plwc.org/).
Vital Options is an international not-for-profit cancer communications, support and advocacy organization, headquarted in Southern California. It produces The Group Room in association with Premiere Radio Networks. The program airs live every Sunday in cities throughout the United States, reaching more than a half-million radio listeners a week, in addition to others who tune in via XM Satellite Radio or the Internet simulcast at http://www.vitaloptions.org/ where past shows are also archived. Callers enter on-air discussions toll-free by dialing 1-800-GRP-ROOM (1-800-477-7666) or sending their comments and questions by email to info@vitaloptions.org.
The show features Schimmel and The Group Room’s regular on-air medical experts -- medical oncologist Dr. Michael Van Scoy-Mosher, radiation oncologist Dr. Leslie Botnick and therapist Halina Irving, MS, MFT -- who are joined each week by callers affected by cancer, as well as renowned cancer experts and advocates who provide updates on research, medical advances, and advocacy efforts. All phone calls are screened by a licensed oncology social worker. During the week, individuals can reach Vital Options for support or to receive more information about cancer resources or stations carrying the broadcast.
Vital Options and The Group Room are supported through educational grants from corporate sponsors Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., Pfizer Oncology, and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
For further information please contact: Michelle Rand of Vital Options International, +1-818-788-5225, mrand@vitaloptions.org; or Laura Livingston of ASCO, +1-703-299-1012, livingsl@asco.org.
Vital Options International
CONTACT: Michelle Rand of Vital Options International, +1-818-788-5225,mrand@vitaloptions.org; or Laura Livingston of ASCO, +1-703-299-1012,livingsl@asco.org
Web site: http://www.plwc.org/
Web site: http://www.vitaloptions.org/
