ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with 6,700 members specializing in treating patients with radiation therapies. The show will also be simulcast live on the Internet at www.vitaloptions.org. Callers in the U.S. and Canada can enter discussions by dialing 1-800-GRP-ROOM (1-800-477-7666).

"The ASTRO broadcast provides information about the latest treatments in radiation oncology in breast, prostate and lung cancers and an interesting look at the evolution of radiation oncology technology during the past 30 years from one of the pioneers in the field," says 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.

Joining Schimmel at the broadcast will be: Dr. Leslie Botnick, The Group Room's Radiation Oncologist; Dr. William M. Mendenhall, Professor, Dept. of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL; Dr. James Metz, Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Medical School; Editor-in-Chief of OncoLink, Philadelphia; Dr. Alvaro Martinez, Chairman, Dept. of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan; Dr. Christopher Willett, Professor of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Clinical Director, Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Dr. Christopher Rose, ASTRO Past President, Associate Clinical Professor, Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, and Associate Director, Dept. of Radiation Therapy, Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, Burbank, CA, and Ajit Singh, PhD, President, Oncology Care Systems Group of Siemens Medical Solutions, which has been instrumental in developing many advances in radiation oncology technology.

"As the exclusive sponsor of today's broadcast, we are pleased to participate in this educational outreach with the aim of providing quality patient information in the realm of oncology," states Dr. Singh.

The Group Room airs live every Sunday in select cities throughout the United States, reaching more than half-a-million radio listeners a week in addition to its worldwide web audience, which hears the show simulcast on the Internet at www.vitaloptions.org.

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

This special broadcast was made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Siemens Medical Solutions. Headquartered in Concord, Calif., the Oncology Care Systems Group of Siemens Medical Solutions develops and markets a broad range of custom solutions for the oncology market comprising radiation therapy equipment and information technology products. The Company's recently launched Seek - Find - Act - FollowTM initiative evidences that Siemens is the only manufacturer who can provide a full range of oncology solutions from screening and diagnosis, through treatment and follow up. Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG (NYSE: SI), with headquarters in Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world. The company is renowned for its innovative products, including imaging systems for diagnosis, therapy equipment for treatment, hearing instruments, and critical care and life support systems, as well as a wide array of information technology and data management solutions that optimize workflow and increase efficiency in hospitals, clinics and doctors' offices. The company is known as the premiere health information application service provider processing more than 133 million transactions daily and managing more than 67 terabytes of data - twice the information volume of the Library of Congress.

Employing approximately 30,000 people worldwide, the company reported sales of 7.2 billion EUR, orders of 8.4 billion EUR and EBITA of 808 million EUR in fiscal 2001 (September 30). More information can be obtained by visiting Siemens Medical Solutions on the web at www.SiemensMedical.com.