Vital Options® International TeleSupport® Cancer Network first launched National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week™, in 2003 to commemorate its 20th anniversary. The organization pioneered the young adult cancer movement when it was founded in 1983 by Selma Schimmel, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 28. Vital Options was 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 is now an international cancer communications, support and advocacy organization and in association with Premiere Radio Networks, produces The Group Room, a nationally syndicated weekly radio call-in cancer talk show radio show that airs every Sunday throughout the United States and is simulcast at www.vitaloptions.org.

On Sunday, April 4, 2004, in association with OncoLink, the award winning cancer information resource on the World Wide Web from the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania (www.oncolink.org) and with the University of California, Irvine, The Group Room will air a special broadcast on young adults with cancer from UCI Medical Center in Orange, CA.

"Even as a long term young adult cancer survivor, I am well aware that my experience altered my life course and has remained the driving force of my career over the last 21 years. Young adults still get lost in the system or are delayed in diagnosis, as cancers are less common and even harder to detect in this age group. And while Vital Options' projects are no longer limited to young adults, we remain committed to their needs and the expanding efforts of its advocacy movement," said Schimmel, CEO of Vital Options and host of The Group Room.

According to Dr. James Metz, editor-in-chief of OncoLink, and Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, ""We are excited to participate in the second annual National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week with Vital Options. This unique collaboration between radio and the Internet continues to empower patients who are searching for important information not only about their disease, but ultimately survivorship issues that last a lifetime."

Joining Selma Schimmel, will be The Group Room therapist Halina Irving, MA, MS, MFCC, Leonard Sender, MD, Medical Director of Clinical Oncology Services at the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCI Medical Center and Bradley J. Monk, MD, Assistant Professor, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, at UCI Medical Center.

"The young adult cancer patient often presents with different types of disease, different types of biology and complex psychosocial issues that are beyond the education and interests of the majority of adult oncologists. These patients however present a dilemma to the pediatric oncologist who is disadvantaged by not having the psychosocial support systems in place to provide quality care. Patients are disadvantaged by not having clinical studies available to them. Our goal is to focus all our attention on these patients," says Dr. Leonard Sender clinical professor of medicine and medical director of clinical oncology services for UCI's Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, located at the UCI Medical Center campus in Orange.

The Group Room airs live every Sunday in cities throughout the United States, reaching more than a half-million radio listeners a week, 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. Callers can enter discussions toll-free by dialing 1-800-GRP-ROOM (1-800-477-7666) or sending their comments and questions by email to info@vitaloptions.org. Young adults are especially encouraged to visit www.youngadultswithcancer.org, where young adult cancer advocacy and resource organizations are hyperlinked.

Locally in Los Angeles, The Group Room airs from 2-3 pm PT on KRLA 870AM. 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. During the week, individuals can reach Vital Options for support or to receive more information about cancer resources or stations carrying the broadcast.

The remote broadcast is free of charge and open to the public by registering at (714) 456-3770. The location of the remote broadcast is at UCI Medical Center, The Associates Conference Room, 101 The City Drive S., Orange CA 92868.

The Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of 38 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. It is affiliated with University of California, Irvine Medical Center, the only university hospital in Orange County, offering specialized medical and surgical services.

Vital Options and The Group Room are supported through educational grants from corporate sponsors Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., and Pfizer Oncology, and associate sponsor Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.