Newswise — April 4, 2014 – The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) seeks to recognize an individual cancer survivor in the San Francisco Bay area who has dedicated his or her time and energy to helping their local community. The winner of ASTRO’s 2014 Survivor Circle Award will receive $1,000 and will be honored at a ceremony at San Francisco’s Moscone Center on Tuesday, September 16, 2014. The Survivor Circle Award will be presented at ASTRO’s 56th Annual Scientific Meeting, an international medical meeting hosting more than 11,000 radiation oncology physicians and professionals, to be held September 14-17, 2014, at San Francisco’s Moscone Center.

“Cancer survivors are the best advocates for patients, and they provide us with valuable information as we focus our techniques and technologies to optimize treatment outcomes,” said Bruce D. Minsky, MD, president-elect of ASTRO. “The Survivor Circle Award will honor a Bay area resident who is providing exemplary volunteerism and leadership in their community.”

Any cancer survivor residing within the metropolitan San Francisco Bay area who received radiation therapy as part of their treatment and who is giving back to their community through volunteer efforts is eligible to enter. The winner may keep the cash prize of $1,000 or may donate the award to a support organization or charity of his or her choice. The application is online at www.rtanswers.org/scaward/. Applications must be postmarked by June 1, 2014.

Since 2003, ASTRO has recognized cancer survivors in the city where its Annual Scientific Meeting is held. In addition to recognizing a local individual each year, ASTRO provides grants to patient advocacy groups that help patients and their families cope with a cancer diagnosis. These organizations are featured in the Survivor Circle during ASTRO’s Annual Meeting.

“Cancer survivors are a vital resource as we push for increased patient survival and improved outcomes,” said Laura I. Thevenot, ASTRO CEO. “These awards honor the leadership, dedication and strength of the many patient advocates and patient support organizations nationwide.”

Applications for the 2014 Survivor Circle Award must be postmarked by Sunday, June 1, 2014. The application is available at: www.rtanswers.org/survivorship/survivorcircle/SurvivorCircleAward.For more information on ASTRO’s 56th Annual Meeting, please visit www.astro.org/AnnualMeeting.For more information on radiation therapy, please visit www.rtanswers.org. ABOUT ASTROASTRO is the premier radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 10,000 members who are physicians, nurses, biologists, physicists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists and other health care professionals that specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As the leading organization in radiation oncology, the Society is dedicated to improving patient care through professional education and training, support for clinical practice and health policy standards, advancement of science and research, and advocacy. ASTRO publishes two medical journals, International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics (www.redjournal.org) and Practical Radiation Oncology (www.practicalradonc.org); developed and maintains an extensive patient website, www.rtanswers.org; and created the Radiation Oncology Institute (www.roinstitute.com), a non-profit foundation to support research and education efforts around the world that enhance and confirm the critical role of radiation therapy in improving cancer treatment. To learn more about ASTRO, visit www.astro.org.###