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 Mama's Kitchen of San Diego to raise awareness of cancer survivorship issues.
Mama's Kitchen 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 Mama's Kitchen. Mama's Kitchen 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.
"Mama's Kitchen recognizes that those with cancer may be elderly, alone or extremely sick and are often not in a position to shop or cook for themselves," Anthony Zietman, President of ASTRO said. "This magnificent group organizes armies of volunteers to buy, prepare, and deliver nutritious food to these desperately needy local people. It truly represents community care and volunteerism at its best."
"Our ability to meet the nutritional needs of San Diegans affected by cancer is due to the strong community involvement in the form of both volunteer time and dollars contributed," noted Alberto Cortés, Executive Director of Mama's Kitchen. "ASTRO's grant to Mama's Kitchen makes a difference in the lives of people living with cancer who are otherwise vulnerable to hunger. We are grateful for this generous grant."
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.
Mama's Kitchen is a not-for-profit organization committed to preparing and delivering nutritious food to men, women and children who are affected by AIDS or cancer. As such, their Critical Illness Nutrition Program provides home delivered meals to people with cancer who are unable to prepare their own meals due to illness. This program provides three meals a day, seven days a week, every day of the year; free of charge. Mama's Kitchen delivers about 375,000 meals a year.
For more information on Mama's Kitchen, 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 http://www.mamaskitchen.org. For more information on ASTRO or ASTRO's Annual Meeting, please visit www.astro.org.