"Oncology nurses play an essential and primary role in the care of cancer patients," said Schimmel, host of The Group Room and Founder and CEO of Vital Options® International TeleSupport® Cancer Network. "It's important to learn more about the goals and initiatives of the ONS and the contributions oncology nurses make to the practice of oncology as well as to patients and their families."

ONS is the largest professional oncology association in the world, representing more than 30,000 registered nurses committed to promoting excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care.

Calling in live from the Congress will be: Judy E. Lundgren, RN, MSN, AOCN®, President, Oncology Nursing Society; Ann Reiner, RN, MN, OCN®, Oncology Nursing Society, Director-at-Large; Janice M. Phillips, RN, PhD, Program Director, National Institute of Nursing Research; Elizabeth G. Gomez, RN, MSN, AOCN®, ONS Online Editor, www.ons.org; and Ilisa M. Halpern, MMP, ONS Health Policy Associate and Government Relations Director, Arent Fox.

The Group Room--which has been on the air since debuting on New York's WOR radio in 1996--reaches more than half-a-million radio listeners each Sunday throughout the United States as well as others worldwide who hear the show simulcast live over the Internet at www.vitaloptions.org. Callers join discussions by dialing 1-800-GRP-ROOM (1-800-477-7666).

The Group Room is produced by Vital Options in association with Premiere Radio Networks, the nation's largest radio network. The show features Schimmel and The Group Room's regular on-air medial experts--medical oncologist Dr. Michael Van Scoy-Mosher, radiation oncologist Dr. Leslie Botnick and therapist Halina Irving, MFCC--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.

The Group Room regularly produces remote location broadcasts from the world's leading oncology meetings, such as the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and its European equivalents, ESMO/ECCO, and from preeminent cancer centers in the United States and Europe.

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 patients of all ages and issues related to everyone touched by cancer. In 2001, Vital Options was officially renamed Vital Options International to reflect its international expansion. During the week, individuals can reach Vital Options for support or to receive more information about cancer resources or stations carrying the broadcast.

In an effort to facilitate a global cancer dialogue, Vital Options is considered "everyone's best partner," and works collaboratively with other cancer organizations and groups in various cancer communication initiatives. In addition to The Group Room, other Vital Options' projects include CancerTalk™, an in-flight audio program on American and Northwest airlines produced in association with Sky Radio; The Cancer NewsMinute™, a cancer news radio feature; and The Professor and The Survivor™, an international clinical trials awareness project.

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. and Pharmacia Oncology.

Ortho Biotech is the lead sponsor of Vital Options International's growth in Europe; Pharmacia Oncology is an associate sponsor.