ASTRO: New Award to Honor Denver Cancer Survivor; Winner Will Receive Cash Prize of $1,000

DENVER, June 13 -- The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) is proud to introduce the Survivor Circle Award to recognize a cancer survivor in the metropolitan Denver area who has dedicated his or her time and energy to help others in the local community. The inaugural award will be given out on Monday, Oct. 17 at the National Western Complex during ASTRO’s 47th Annual Meeting, being held in Denver Oct. 16 - 20.

“In my experience as a radiation oncologist, I’ve found that people who have survived cancer are often the most dedicated when it comes to helping others, especially other people living with a diagnosis of cancer,” said Laurie Gaspar, professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and Chair of ASTRO’s Local Arrangements Committee. “With this award, our hope is to honor a cancer survivor who has gone above and beyond to give back to the local community.”

Any cancer survivor living within a 50-mile radius of Denver who received radiation therapy as part of treatment is eligible for the award. The winner will receive a cash prize of $1,000 to either keep or donate to a support organization or charity of his or her choice. All interested parties must fill out a short application that focuses on what the applicant does to give back to the community. The application can be found online at http://www.astro.org/annual_meeting/exhibit_hall/ survivor_circle/index.htm. Applications must be postmarked by July 18.

The Survivor Circle began in 2003 as a way for ASTRO to recognize cancer survivors in the city where the Society holds its annual scientific meeting. Each year, ASTRO partners with local patient advocacy groups that are helping patients and their families cope with a diagnosis of cancer. Volunteers from these organizations then participate in an exhibit during ASTRO’s meeting to help educate the 10,000 attendees on their services for patients and help raise money for their causes. This year, ASTRO is working with Gilda’s Club Denver and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Denver, Inc.

“In addition to helping the patient organizations, we wanted to find a way to honor the survivors themselves,” said Laura I. Thevenot, ASTRO’s CEO. “Survivors are a driving force in the cancer community and this award will help us give back to a local survivor who does so much to help others.”

Applications for the 2005 Survivor Circle Award must be postmarked by Monday, July 18. To receive an application, visit http://www.astro.org/pdf/AM2005/2005survivorcircleaward.pdf or contact Beth Bukata at 1-800-962-7876.

For more information on ASTRO’s 47th Annual Meeting, visit http://www.astro.org/annual_meeting/index.htm.

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ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 8,000 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As a leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to the advancement of the practice of radiation oncology by promoting excellence in patient care, providing opportunities for educational and professional development, promoting research and disseminating research results and representing radiation oncology in a rapidly evolving socioeconomic healthcare environment.

Contact Information

Beth Bukata

Media Contact

American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology

Contact via E-mail