The Group Room broadcast will be produced in collaboration with the show's Philadelphia affiliate, WNWR/1540 AM. This special remote broadcast of The Group Room has been made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline Oncology and Corixa Corporation.

"It is most important for The Group Room to be able to bring the latest clinical information to our listeners. Our audience will have the opportunity to speak directly with leading physicians, professors and researchers involved in hematology," said Schimmel, who is also CEO and founder of Vital Options® International TeleSupport® Cancer Network.

Joining Schimmel on the panel will be:

• Alexandra M. Levine, MD, Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Chief, Division of Hematology, Medical Director, USC/Norris Cancer Hospital, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California;
• Paul S. Gaynon, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Director, Clinical Oncology Research Program, Department of Hematology/Oncology, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and USC/Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California;
• John P. Leonard, MD, Medical Director of the Oncology Unit and Assistant Attending Physician at the New York Presbyterian Hospital; Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and Clinical Director of the Center for Lymphoma and Myeloma at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Cornell; and
• Suzanne Bliss, Executive Director of the Lymphoma Research Foundation.

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 medical 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.

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 & The Survivor™, an international clinical trials awareness project that will be unveiled at this year's ASCO meeting.

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.