ECOG is one of the largest clinical cancer research organizations in the United States, conducting clinical trials for all types of adult cancers. It was founded in 1955 as one of the first cooperative groups launched to perform multi-center cancer clinical trials.

The purpose of the ECOG meeting is to bring cancer researchers together to discuss the progress of active clinical trials and to share and explore new scientific information. Patient advocates attend the meeting to represent the patient's perspective.

"Broadcasting from ECOG is a great opportunity for The Group Room since we will be integrated into ECOG's program, allowing us to be part of the process," said Selma R. Schimmel, host of The Group Room and Founder and CEO of Vital Options® International TeleSupport® Cancer Network, the southern California-based not-for-profit cancer communications, support and advocacy organization that produces the show in association with Premiere Radio Networks, the nation's largest radio network.

"This partnership with ECOG will enhance our organizations' ongoing mutual efforts of furthering public awareness and support of cancer clinical trials," added Schimmel, who will be joined by a number of prominent researchers and advocates including:

• Dr. Robert Comis--Group Chair of ECOG; President of the Board of Directors for the Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups Inc.; Professor of Medicine and Director of Hahnemann University's Clinical Trials Research Center, Philadelphia.
• Dr. Al Bowen Benson 3d-Co-Chair of ECOG's Gastrointestinal Cancer Committee; Professor of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School; Director, Clinical Investigations Program, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern; President, Illinois Medical Oncology Society.
• Dr. Philip R. Griepp-Chair of ECOG's Myeloma Committee; Professor of Medicine, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Medical School; Consultant in Hematology and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic.
• Mary Lou Smith--Co-Chair of ECOG's Patient Representative Committee; Past President of Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. A breast cancer survivor, she is Director of Patient, Payer and Government Relations for the Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups.
• Mike Katz--Co-Chair of ECOG's Patient Representative Committee; Vice President of the International Myeloma Foundation; Chair Emeritus of the National Cancer Institute Director's Consumer Liaison Group; member of the Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups' Patient Advisory Board; member of the FDA's Patient Consultant Program. A multiple myeloma survivor, he is a Senior Vice President with Booz, Allen & Hamilton Inc.
• Paula Kim-CEO and Co-Founder of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN); member of the NCI Director's Consumer Liaison Group, the FDA Cancer Drug Development Patient Consultant Program and the NCI's Pancreatic Progress Review Group.
• Brenda Hopper-member, ECOG's Patient Representative Committee; had served on ECOG's breast core and AIDS committees. A breast cancer survivor who participated in clinical trials, she directs the Teaching Fellows Program at University of North Carolina.

All phone calls to The Group Room are screened by a licensed oncology social worker. Callers can enter discussions by dialing 1-800-GRP-ROOM (1-800-477-7666). 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.

In addition to The Group Room, other Vital Options' projects include CancerTalk™ and Excerpts from The Group Room," an in-flight audio program on American Airlines produced in association with Sky Radio; and The Cancer NewsMinute™, a cancer news feature that broadcasts daily on radio stations throughout the United States.

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.