The Group Room(R) Cancer Talk Radio Show Now Heard Live in New York, Southern Florida, Cleveland, and the Phoenix/Tucson Area
The Group Room debuted in 1996 and reaches more than half-a-million listeners each Sunday throughout the United States as well as others who tune into the internet simulcast at www.vitaloptions.org or on XM Satellite Radio. Callers join the discussion by calling 1-800-GRP-ROOM (1-800-477-7666) or by e-mail at info@vitaloptions.org .
Hosted by Selma R. Schimmel, Founder and CEO of Vital Options International TeleSupportŪ Cancer Network, The Group Room is produced by Vital Options in association with Premiere Radio Networks, the nation's largest radio network. The program enables cancer patients, their loved ones and medical professionals to engage in a dialogue about all aspects of the cancer experience, as well as emotional and clinical issues.
"Who is not touched by cancer? As the program expands throughout the country and reaches a growing segment of the one in three individuals diagnosed with cancer, we are being true to our mission to facilitate a global cancer dialogue," said Schimmel.
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.
Joining 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, are callers affected by cancer, as well as renowned cancer experts, researchers and advocates. Phone calls are screened by licensed oncology social workers.
Founded in 1983 when Schimmel was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 28, Vital OptionsŪ 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. Headquartered in southern California, Vital Options is an international not-for-profit cancer communications, support and advocacy organization. Individuals can contact Vital Options throughout the week for further support and information.
In addition to The Group Room, other Vital Options projects include CancerTalk(TM), an in-flight audio program produced in association with Sky Radio; The Cancer NewsMinute(TM), a cancer news radio feature; and The Professor and The Survivor(TM), a multi-lingual clinical trials awareness brochure.
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 Pfizer Oncology.
Ortho Biotech is a lead sponsor of Vital Options International's growth in Europe; Pfizer Oncology is an associate sponsor.
For further information, please contact Robert Schaefer of Vital OptionsŪ International, +1-818-788-5225 ext. 115, rschaefer@vitaloptions.org.
