Joining Vital Options and OncoLink in this initiative are the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, providing support programs, education and resources for young adults, their families and friends, who are affected by cancer; The Young Survival Coalition, a non-profit network of breast cancer survivors and supporters dedicated to the concerns and issues that are unique to young women and breast cancer; and the Lance Armstrong Foundation, committed to promoting the optimal physical, psychological, and social recovery and care for those living with, through and beyond cancer.

In April 2003, Vital Options International and its founder, Selma Schimmel, are celebrating 20 years of cancer support and survivorship. Vital Options was founded in 1983, the year Schimmel was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 28. The first organization in the United States to focus specifically on the unique clinical and psychosocial needs of young adults with all types of cancer between the ages of 17 through the mid-40's, Vital Options helped to lay a foundation for the young adult cancer advocacy movement that has since followed. And while today the organization is no longer limited to young adults, Vital Options remains committed to this very special patient population and has launched the new website youngadultswithcancer.org.

"Our 20th anniversary is a milestone in survival, both for me personally and for Vital Options. It feels fitting that we celebrate by coming around full circle to help today's young adult with cancer find a new generation of young adult cancer support. Young adults with cancer face unique developmental issues and we look forward to partnering with other organizations to help provide information that is of concern to young adults and for a still maturing movement," said Selma Schimmel, who is also the host of The Group Room radio talk show. "It is our hope that this special live radio broadcast and video simulcast of The Group Room will kick off a nation-wide joint effort on behalf of an underserved young adult cancer population."

Half-a-million million cancer survivors living in this country were diagnosed with cancer between age 20 and 45, facing unique developmental issues and needs. Unlike older cancer survivors, young adults are still striving to reach their goals and live their dreams.

According to Dr. James Metz, editor-in-chief of OncoLink, and Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center "this special webcast on behalf of young adults with cancer is a natural collaboration between OncoLink and Vital Options as it complements each organization's goals to empower patients, families and healthcare providers through the merging of Internet webcasts and radio broadcasts."

"The most important support I needed after my diagnosis was to simply talk to others who understood," said Doug Ulman, President and Founder of the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, Director of Survivorship for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and a three-time cancer survivor. "This is why I believe Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week is an excellent way not only to increase awareness but also to further expand and strengthen the support network for young adults and their loved ones dealing with cancer."

"There are more than 250,000 women under the age of 45 living with breast cancer in this country," said Randi Rosenberg, President of the Young Survival Coalition and breast cancer survivor. "We are pleased to join in this initiative because we believe it will help to educate and influence the medical, research, breast cancer and legislative communities to better address breast cancer in young adult women."

The Group Room 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 where the show is also archived. Callers join discussions by dialing 1-800-GRP-ROOM (1-800-477-7666). This special broadcast will also be archived as a video simulcast at www.oncolink.org.

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. During the week, individuals can reach Vital Options for support or to receive more information about cancer resources or stations carrying the broadcast.

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.

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. 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.