Schimmel, who was diagnosed 20 years ago with breast cancer at the age of 28, founded Vital Options as the first organization in the United States for young adults with cancer. No longer limited to young adults, Vital Options International TeleSupport® Cancer Network is a global not-for-profit cancer communications, advocacy and support organization that produces the nationally syndicated The Group Room in collaboration with Premiere Radio Networks. For two decades, Schimmel, CEO of Vital Options, has been an ardent spokesperson for issues related to cancer survivorship, psychosocial concerns, treatment, research and prevention, and now this September, during National Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, she was diagnosed with early stage ovarian cancer, the disease that claimed her mother's life less than two years prior to Schimmel's breast cancer diagnosis in 1983.

"Ovarian cancer is often a lethal disease and there are no truly effective screening techniques to diagnosis it. Recognizing my genetic predisposition, I decided to have a prophylactic procedure to remove my ovaries as a preventative measure. While there was no expectation that I had any disease, the surgery saved my life, allowing me to be diagnosed and treated at a highly curable stage. Thanks to the advancements in supportive care, chemotherapy will be a very different experience than it was for me 20 years ago. It will be a privilege to be able to publicly share my experience each week on The Group Room, helping others go through the rigors of cancer treatment and survivorship," said Schimmel.

Gynecologic cancers include cancers of the reproductive tract such as ovarian, uterine, vaginal, cervical and fallopian-tube cancers. More than 80,000 American women were diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer last year, according to the American Cancer Society, making it the fourth most common cancer among women.

The Group Room reaches more than half-a-million radio listeners each Sunday throughout the United States, in addition to others who tune in via XM Satellite Radio or the Internet simulcast at www.vitaloptions.org where the show is also archived. Listeners can join discussions on The Group Room by dialing 1-800-GRP-ROOM (1-800-477-7666) or by sending their comments and questions by email to info@vitaloptions.org.