As part of its continued efforts to give back to the cancer communities in the cities visited during its annual scientific meetings, the Fairfax, Virginia-based American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) is partnering with Cancer Hope Network, to raise awareness of cancer survivorship. The Cancer Hope Network is a non-profit organization that provides one-on-one support to people undergoing treatment for cancer and to their families.
Cancer Hope Network, located in Chester, N.J., will work with ASTRO by participating in the Survivor Circle exhibit at the Society’s 48th Annual Meeting, scheduled for November 5-9, 2006, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. The Survivor Circle was created to recognize those who are living with the diagnosis of cancer. It focuses on the programs offered by local organizations to help the patients and their families cope with their treatments. Within the Survivor Circle, there is a place for visitors to view photos of activities the Cancer Hope Network offers to patients, survivors and their families and make tax deductible donations. One hundred percent of the proceeds collected will be given to local cancer programs.“Patients with cancer who receive radiation as part of their treatment typically receive radiation over a course of four to eight weeks. This ensures that doctors give enough radiation to kill the cancer while not harming nearby healthy tissue. Organizations like the Cancer Hope Network are an important tool in the fight against cancer as they give patients and their families support while they fight their disease,” said Prabhakar Tripuraneni, M.D., President of ASTRO.
Wanda Diak, Managing Director for Cancer Hope Network, noted the group’s appreciation of ASTRO’s support. “Radiation therapy is an important and widely employed treatment option for cancer patients today. It is gratifying to receive ASTRO’s support, as it will allow us to extend our services to more of the almost 1.4 million people who will be diagnosed with cancer this year. We applaud ASTRO’s commitment to helping those people.”
ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 8,500 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As the leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to the advancement of the practice of radiation oncology by promoting excellence in patient care, providing opportunities for educational and professional development, promoting research and disseminating research results and representing radiation oncology in a rapidly evolving socioeconomic healthcare environment. Nearly 11,000 cancer treatment professionals are expected at ASTRO’s Annual Meeting.
Cancer Hope Network, a national, non-profit organization offers free, confidential, one-on-one emotional support to adult cancer patients and their caregivers. Support is provided via telephone toll-free by over 325 trained volunteers who have been through a similar cancer experience, have recovered and are again leading productive lives. Patients are matched with survivor volunteers based on cancer type, treatment, side effects, stage, age, and gender. By giving recently diagnosed patients the gift of Hope, CHN’s survivors help them successfully cope with their cancer and its treatment.
Source-Newswise
SRM
