News Release

ASTRO, Emilio Nares Foundation join to promote cancer survivorship

Business Announcement

American Society for Radiation Oncology

As part of an initiative to give back to the cancer communities in the cities visited during its annual scientific meetings, the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is partnering with the Emilio Nares Foundation of San Diego to raise awareness of cancer survivorship issues.

"When a child has cancer the entire family is sick," Anthony Zietman, M.D., ASTRO president and a radiation oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, said. "The Emilio Nares Foundation offers the kind of deep support to families that hospitals struggle to provide, everything from rides and nutritional guidance to crisis management and even bereavement counseling. It offers an invaluable and personal safety net for suffering families."

The Emilio Nares Foundation will work with ASTRO by participating in the Survivor Circle exhibit at ASTRO's 52nd Annual Meeting, scheduled for October 31-November 4, 2010, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego. The Survivor Circle was created to recognize those living with a diagnosis of cancer. This year, it will focus on the programs offered by San Diego-area cancer organizations helping patients and their families cope with this disease. Within the Survivor Circle, there is a place for attendees to learn more about the Emilio Nares Foundation. The Emilio Nares Foundation received this opportunity, along with a $10,000 grant, through the Survivor Circle Grant Program. They were one of two groups chosen from many applications received this year.

"We are honored to have received this generous grant from ASTRO," Richard Nares, executive director of the Emilio Nares Foundation, said. "This grant will provide life-saving support to a population of children and their families who are in dire need. Increases in the cost of fuel and food have placed unimaginable new burdens on our patient families, most of whom earn less than $20,000 annually."

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ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 10,000 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As the leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to improving patient care through education, clinical practice, advancement of science and advocacy. For more information on radiation therapy, visit www.rtanswers.org. To learn more about ASTRO, visit www.astro.org.

The Emilio Nares Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that provides life-enhancing services and programs as well as emotional and spiritual support to the families of children battling cancer. Annually Ride with Emilio transports over 2,000 patients and their families and has traveled over 250,000 miles since the program began in 2005.

For more information on the Emilio Nares Foundation, please attend the ASTRO Annual Meeting October 31-November 4, 2010, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego or visit their website at www.emilionaresfoundation.org. For more information on ASTRO or ASTRO's Annual Meeting, please visit www.astro.org.


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