Newswise — Fairfax, Va., March 17, 2015—The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) seeks to recognize two cancer support organizations based in Texas. The recipients of ASTRO’s 2015 Survivor Circle Grants will each receive a grant of $8,500. The 2015 grantees will be recognized in the Survivor Circle at the ASTRO Resource Center during ASTRO’s 57th Annual Scientific Meeting, the nation’s premier scientific meeting in radiation oncology, hosting more than 11,000 radiation oncology physicians and professionals, to be held October 18-21, 2015, at San Antonio’s Henry B. González Convention Center.
“Cancer support organizations are a vital resource to patients, families and caregivers from diagnosis through survivorship. ASTRO’s goal in providing these grants is to assist these groups in continuing to provide important resources and in creating new programs,” said David C. Beyer, MD, FASTRO, president-elect of ASTRO. “The Survivor Circle Grant will offer these organizations the opportunity to enhance the support they are able to give to cancer patients and their families.”
Eligible organizations must be a cancer support organization based in Texas; must provide support to patients and/or families of patients with cancer; and may be local or national in scope. The application is online at www.rtanswers.org/SCgrant. Applications must be received by April 27, 2015.
Applications will be reviewed by members of the ASTRO Healthcare Access and Training Subcommittee and ASTRO’s Board of Directors. Selection will be made based on the percentage of the program that is geared toward radiation-related support, as well as a proven dedicated effort to reach all demographics of cancer patients in the city/state where the organization is located.
Past Survivor Circle Grant recipients have used the grant to fund: 1) local transportation and other support needs; 2) supplies for cancer support group meetings, such as brochures, videos and flyers; 3) welcome kits for new patients and/or families seeking assistance from the support organization; and 4) financial assistance for patients for items such as transportation to and/or from treatment and co-payments.
Since 2003, ASTRO has recognized cancer survivors in the city where its Annual Scientific Meeting is held. In addition to recognizing two cancer support organizations, each year ASTRO honors a local cancer survivor who is dedicated to volunteering in their community. The individual is recognized during the Awards Ceremony at ASTRO’s Annual Meeting.
“Many patients depend on these support organizations, their staff and volunteers to help them navigate the health care system and access much-needed resources during their journey including diagnosis, treatment and survivorship,” said Laura I. Thevenot, ASTRO CEO. “These grants will recognize and strengthen two leading organizations’ dedication and efforts to supporting patients and their families.”
Applications for the 2015 Survivor Circle Grants must be received by Monday, April 27, 2015. The application is available at www.rtanswers.org/SCgrant.
For more information on ASTRO’s 57th 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 nearly 11,000 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.org), 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.###
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