The program will offer children with cancer and their families the opportunity to share their stories and concerns with others in the studio audience and throughout the United States via radio and the Internet. The event is free and open to the public; however, space is limited, so call 818-788-5225 to pre-register.

The first hour of The Group Room (1-2 pm PT) can be heard live in Los Angeles on KLSX 97.1 FM; the second hour-which will continue to broadcast live on selected radio stations around the country-can also be heard simulcast live via the Internet (www.vitaloptions.org). Callers can enter discussions by dialing 1-800-GRP-ROOM (1-800-477-7666).

"Some of the greatest successes in cancer research have been made through clinical trials in pediatric oncology and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles has long been recognized for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent medicine," said Selma R. Schimmel, founder and CEO of Vital Options® International TeleSupport® Cancer Network and host of The Group Room-the world's largest cancer support group-produced by Vital Options in association with Premiere Radio Networks, the nation's largest radio network.

"Vital Options supports Children's Cancer Awareness Month and looks forward to this time of year when we can help others listen to the powerful voices of children with cancer," said Schimmel.

Joining Schimmel on air will be: Dr. Stuart Siegel, director of the Childrens Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and professor of pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California; as well as Ernest Katz, PhD, co-director of the Health Promotions and Outcomes Program and director of the Behavioral Sciences Section; and Kathy S. Ruccione, MPH, RN, co-director of the Health Promotions and Outcomes Program and Center Nursing Administrator, also with CHLA's Childrens Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases.

"Although current figures predict that 77 percent of children with cancer will survive their disease, cancer still remains the number-one killer disease of children," said Siegel. "That's why we at CHLA's Center must redouble our efforts to find new and more effective ways to treat children with resistant cancers, and to identify less toxic, curative approaches for all children with these diseases. Our goal is to ensure that more children are cured of cancer and that they emerge from treatment both physically and emotionally intact as possible."

The Group Room airs live every Sunday (4-6 pm ET; 1-3 pm PT), reaching more than half-a-million radio listeners a week in addition to its worldwide web audience.

The Group Room's regular on-air medical experts include: medical oncologist Dr. Michael Van Scoy-Mosher, radiation oncologist Dr. Leslie Botnick and therapist Halina Irving, MFCC.

All phone calls to The Group Room 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.

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 touched by cancer. In 2001, Vital Options was officially renamed Vital Options International to reflect its international expansion.

Vital Options International is a not-for-profit cancer communications, support and advocacy organization headquartered in southern California. Vital Options 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.

Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., and Pharmacia Oncology are also the leading sponsors of Vital Options International's growth in the European market.

This special broadcast is made possible through a grant to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles by Strategic Financial Group, a member of Northwestern Mutual Financial Network.