Cancer Support Community Advocates for Patients an

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Cancer Support Community, in partnership with leading cancer advocacy and community health care organizations, is participating today in a series of events to explore topics and challenges in community oncology and to advocate for the needs of patients on Capitol Hill. Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of the Cancer Support Community, will moderate a panel discussion at the White House this morning as part of an event to highlight the policy priorities of community cancer centers. In the afternoon, advocates will assemble on Capitol Hill for a briefing that will include a panel discussion and remarks from patients, medical experts, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Cancer Moonshot Task Force, convened by Vice President Joe Biden in 2016 to increase research funding and accelerate cancer discoveries. Sen. Jon Tester and Reps. Diana DeGette, & Fred Upton are also planning to give remarks. "The Cancer Support Community is proud and honored to participate in this important day for community cancer advocacy, and we applaud the White House and the Cancer Moonshot initiative for their continued commitment to advancing the needs of cancer patients and their families," said Thiboldeaux. The Cancer Support Community is joined by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the Association of Community Cancer Centers, the Community Oncology Alliance, McKesson Specialty Health, Sarah Cannon, The US Oncology Network, and Whitman-Walker Health in today's events. The morning's event at the White House will be livestreamed beginning at 8:00 a.m. at www.WhiteHouse.gov/Live .   For more information on the Cancer Support Community's involvement in the Cancer Moonshot initiative and other cancer advocacy efforts, please visit www.CancerSupportCommunity.org/CancerMoonshot .   About the Cancer Support Community   As the largest professionally led nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide, the Cancer Support Community (CSC) is dedicated to ensuring that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community. CSC achieves its mission through three areas: direct service delivery, research and advocacy. The organization includes an international network of Affiliates that offer the highest quality social and emotional support for people impacted by cancer, as well as a community of support available online and over the phone. The Research and Training Institute conducts cutting-edge psychosocial, behavioral and survivorship research. CSC furthers its focus on patient advocacy through its Cancer Policy Institute, informing public policy in Washington, D.C. and across the nation. For more information, please call the toll-free Cancer Support Helpline at 888-793-9355, or visit www.CancerSupportCommunity.org .

Emily Martin 202-650-5371