The pioneering production may be the first time a live radio call-in show has been broadcast simultaneously in English and French between three cities on two continents. The Group Room has previously broadcast in English from Hamburg, Germany; London, England; and Paris, France.

Selma R. Schimmel, host of The Group Room and founder and CEO of Vital Options® International TeleSupport® Cancer Network, will join French cancer specialists at the American Hospital of Paris, who will discuss breast and prostate cancer with oncology experts from the American Hospital's international affiliate in New York City, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and The Group Room's medical experts in Los Angeles.

"This is a groundbreaking broadcast and a key example of how open communications can transform the cancer experience," said Schimmel. "Sadly, France still suffers a tremendous social stigma regarding cancer. Through such programming efforts, we aim to change that.

"I'm also very happy to announce the appointment of Dr. Claude-Alain Planchon-a specialist in nuclear medicine at American Hospital of Paris, who has also trained in medical oncology-as the General Secretary of Vital Options International, France," added Schimmel.

The panel from the American Hospital of Paris-the only civilian institution in Europe currently accredited by the U.S.-based Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) -will include, in addition to Dr. Planchon, Dr. Patrick Bouffette, Head of the Oncology Dept. and Dr. Roland Chiche, Chief of Urology (at AHP) and an Associate Professor with Weill Cornell. Also joining the panel from Paris will be Prof. David Khayat, Professor of Oncology at the Pierre and Marie Curie University, Head of Medical Oncology at Pitié-Salpétrière Hospital and Co-founder of the World Summit Against Cancer.

"The American Hospital of Paris is very pleased to welcome Selma Schimmel and to support her action of helping people touched by cancer," said David T. McGovern, President of AHP's Board of Governors. "We are honored to participate in this first international medical radio broadcast connecting patients with the best specialists from both sides of the ocean in a live radio call-in show."

The Paris remote will be produced in collaboration with Radio Marsden-the in-house radio station of The Royal Marsden Hospital in London, England, the world's oldest cancer hospital.

Dr. Rache M. Simmons, Associate Professor of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College and Co-director of the New York Weill Cornell Breast Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, will broadcast from The Group Room's New York City-affiliate WEVD-AM 1050. Dr. Simmons, a breast cancer expert, was keynote speaker June 19 at the Iris Cantor Women's Health Lecture at the American Hospital of Paris before returning to New York.

The Group Room's medical oncologist Dr. Michael Van Scoy-Mosher, radiation oncologist Dr. Leslie Botnick and therapist Halina Irving, MFCC, will broadcast from the show's Los Angeles studio at Premiere Radio Networks, which produces The Group Room in association with Vital Options International, the not-for-profit cancer communications, support and advocacy organization headquartered in southern California.

Tim Kelly, Premiere's Executive Vice President and General Manager, noted, "It's been an uplifting experience to see The Group Room grow and take root in the United States. Now, to see it expand to Europe is more than I ever dreamed of-my congratulations to Selma and all of the people of conscience who have helped The Group Room continue to grow worldwide."

The Group Room-the world's largest cancer support group-airs for two hours every Sunday in select cities throughout the United States. The show reaches more than half-a-million listeners a week and is also simulcast worldwide via the Internet (www.vitaloptions.org).

All phone calls to The Group Room are screened by a licensed oncology social worker. Callers in the United States can enter discussions by dialing 1-800-GRP-ROOM (1-800-477-7666). Callers in France should dial 01 46 41 84 07. During the week, individuals can reach Vital Options for support or to receive more information about cancer resources or stations carrying the broadcast.

Founded in 1983 when Schimmel was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 28, Vital Options was the first organization to address issues related to young adults with cancer before expanding to include issues and information related to everyone touch by cancer. In 2001, Vital Options was officially renamed Vital Options International to reflect its international expansion.

This special European broadcast has been made possible through educational grants from Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., and Pharmacia Oncology. Both companies are supporting Vital Options to establish The Group Room in Europe as a radio platform for cancer communications. Vital Options International and The Group Room are supported through educational grants from founding sponsor Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and corporate sponsors Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., Pharmacia Oncology and Genentech BioOncology Inc.