ESMO, the European professional organization representing more than 3,000 medical oncologists, expects over 6,000 cancer specialists from around the world to attend the Congress, which offers an update and evaluation of recent developments in the field of oncology. The show will also be simulcast live on the Internet at www.vitaloptions.org. Callers in the U.S. and Canada can enter discussions toll-free by dialing 1-800-GRP-ROOM (1-800-477-7666); listeners overseas can call through special toll-free numbers listed on the Vital Options website.

"Cancer is a global disease and significant research and clinical advancements come from Europe and directly influence patient care in the United States. Clinical trials are also often international in scope. As a two time cancer survivor, the treatment decisions I made were heavily based on European data. The live broadcast of The Group Room from the ESMO meeting gives US listeners a rare opportunity to speak with some key medical oncology opinion leaders and helps deepen their understanding of cancer care throughout the world," said Selma R. Schimmel, Founder and CEO of Vital Options International.

Joining Ms. Schimmel, who is also the host of The Group Room, will be:

• Prof. Dr. Heinz Ludwig, ESMO Past President and President of the ESMO Foundation, Director, Department of Medicine and Medical Oncology, Wilhelminenspital, Vienna, Austria and Chairman of the Vienna Patient Seminar Working Group;
• Margaret Tempero, MD, President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), 2003-2004, Deputy Director and Director of Clinical Sciences of the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where she also serves as Chief of the Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, and Doris and Donald Fisher Distinguished Professor of Clinical Cancer Research, Hematology/Oncology; and
• Da-Tong Chu, MD, President of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology, Professor, Director, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Institute (Hospital); Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Beijing Union Medical College, and other distinguished cancer experts from around the world.

The Group Room® airs live every Sunday in select cities throughout the United States, reaching more than half million radio listeners a week. The show can also be heard on XM Satellite Radio on the ASK! 165 Channel, or via the internet simulcast at www.vitaloptions.org, where past shows are also archived.

The program features Ms. 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.

Founded in 1983, Vital Options® was the first organization to address issues related to young adults with cancer before expanding to include patients of all ages and issues and information related to everyone touched by cancer. The Group Room is produced by Vital Options® International, in association with Premiere Radio Networks. Vital Options International is a global not-for-profit cancer communications, support and advocacy organization, headquartered in Southern California.

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.

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. The live remote broadcast from ESMO has been made possible through additional support from GlaxoSmithKline Oncology and Ortho Biotech, a division of Janssen-Cilag.