The Wellness Community to Launch Cancer Internet Talk Radio Program

The Wellness Community to Launch Cancer Internet Talk Radio Program

President & CEO will host VoiceAmerica(TM) show to help those dealing with cancer live better lives

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kim Thiboldeaux, President & CEO of The Wellness Community (TWC), the nation's leader in providing empowering support and educational programs for people with cancer and their loved ones, will host a new Internet talk radio program, Frankly Speaking About Cancer with The Wellness Community, beginning September 9 and airing every Tuesday at 1:00 pm PST/4:00 pm EDT on the VoiceAmerica(TM) network at www.voiceamerica.com.

Frankly Speaking About Cancer with The Wellness Community will be the first Internet talk radio show on the VoiceAmerica(TM) Network's Health & Wellness Channel to focus specifically on how to live a better life with cancer. The radio program will feature patients, physicians, researchers, social workers and caregivers with whom listeners can connect and draw inspiration. The program can also be downloaded as a podcast at http://www.modavox.com/voiceamericacms/WebModules/HostModaview.aspx?HostId=546 &ChannelId=5&Flag=1.

"The most exciting aspect of this show is the opportunity to connect listeners seeking hope and information with other cancer survivors and caregivers from all over the country. There is nothing more intimate and more hopeful than hearing in a person's own voice how they are overcoming the challenge of cancer," said Kim Thiboldeaux, President & CEO of The Wellness Community, headquartered in Washington, D.C.

"In addition, we'll be bringing researchers, physicians and advocates to the program so listeners can stay informed and know the right questions to ask their health care team," Thiboldeaux added. "For over 25 years, The Wellness Community has offered people living with cancer free social and emotional support programs, tailored publications and online support groups and information. This program is the latest in our effort to reach out in relevant ways to all people affected by cancer."

Frankly Speaking About Cancer will take the listener on a journey through topics that inform and inspire. Episodes will tackle critical issues such as: achieving the best care and quality of life, new research and treatments, relieving stress and anxiety, life beyond treatment and talking to kids about cancer. Every week, Kim Thiboldeaux will bring together noted physicians, researchers, nurses and social workers, as well as patients and caregivers from every walk of life to share their experiences and unique perspective.

The September Lineup

September 9: The Empowered Cancer Patient: Highlights from The Total Cancer Wellness Guide

The premier episode will explore The Wellness Community's founding principle of the Patient Active(TM) Concept, which is explained in the book, The Total Cancer Wellness Guide: Reclaiming Your Life After Diagnosis (BenBella Books, 2007), a book co-authored by Kim Thiboldeaux and Mitch Golant, PhD. Guests will discuss the benefits of patients taking an active role in managing their cancer care during treatment and beyond. They include:

-- Matthew Loscalzo, MSW, Administrative Director for the Sheri & Les Biller Patient and Family Resource Center

-- Lidia Schapira, MD, Oncologist at the Gillette Center for Breast Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Harvard Medical School; and

-- Douglas Wilkey, Jr., non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor and participant at The Wellness Community-Arizona.

September 16: The Empowered Cancer Caregiver: Why 80 Percent Report Stress and Anxiety

A May 2007 survey conducted by The Wellness Community and KRC Research revealed that 80% of loved ones and friends who support those in cancer treatment reported experiencing regular stress and anxiety and 29% reported being treated for depression during their caregiving experience. What can be done to ease the burden and support the emotional needs of these key providers? Guests on this topic will include:

-- Eileen Heisman, President & CEO of National Philanthropic Trust; and

-- Andrea Roschke, caregiver and participant at The Wellness Community-Valley/Ventura.

September 23: Cancer Survivorship: Your Treatment Is Over. Now What?

The definition of cancer survivorship, the fear of recurrence, developing a survivor care plan -- these are just a few of the issues that many individuals face after treatment is over. Kim Thiboldeaux will discuss the very real psychological and social challenges with guests including:

-- Julia Rowland, PhD, Director of the Office of Cancer Survivorship, National Cancer Institute;

-- Gwen Darien, non-Hogdkin's Lymphoma survivor, Editor-in-Chief of CR magazine and Director of the AACR's Survivor and Patient Advocacy Program; and

-- Richard Mikesh, non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor and participant at The Wellness Community-Southwest Florida.

September 29: Leukemia & Lymphoma; New Hope for a Growing Diagnosis

Over the past 25 years, diagnoses of Leukemia and Lymphoma have increased by 88% and 87% respectively. Learn more about the current options available to treat these types of cancers, and hear a first-hand account of a patient's incredible story of survival following an experimental form of treatment. Guests will include:

-- Lee M. Nadler, MD, Senior Vice President of Experimental Medicine, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), and Director, DFCI Center for Clinical and Translational Research;

-- Charles R. Scheper, non-Hogdkin's Lymphoma survivor, COO, Great American Financial Resources, Inc., and Chair, The Wellness Community National Board; and

-- Julie Geisen Scheper, retired counselor, caregiver, community volunteer, and coach/advocate for cancer patients and their families.

Kim Thiboldeaux joined The Wellness Community in 2000 as President & CEO. She has a wealth of experience in health care, patient education and national patient advocacy and serves in numerous leadership roles including: founding board member of ENACCT (Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical Trials), member of the National Advisory Board of the American Psycho-Oncology Society (APOS), and member of the Caregiving in America Advisory Group of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Human Development. Prior to joining The Wellness Community, Kim served as the Director of Patient Relations for Oncology & Transplant at Hoffmann-LaRoche, Inc. and Director of Corporate Relations at Whitman-Walker Clinic, a Washington, DC-based clinic that provides comprehensive services to people with HIV and AIDS.

ABOUT THE WELLNESS COMMUNITY

Founded in 1982, The Wellness Community is an international non-profit organization dedicated to providing free support, education and hope to people with cancer and their loved ones. Through participation in professionally-led support groups, educational workshops, nutrition and exercise programs, and stress-reduction classes, people affected by cancer learn vital skills that enable them to regain control, reduce isolation and restore hope regardless of the stage of their disease. The Wellness Community provides such programs, free of charge at more than 100 locations worldwide including 24 U.S. based and 2 international centers with 73 satellite and off-site programs and online at www.thewellnesscommunity.org.

ABOUT VOICEAMERICA(TM)

Since 1999, VoiceAmerica(TM) Network has been providing internet talk radio programs featuring more than 100 hosts broadcasting on four genre based channels: its flagship VoiceAmerica(TM) Channel, VoiceAmerica(TM) Health & Wellness Channel, VoiceAmerica(TM) Business Channel, and the newest, 7th Wave Network. VoiceAmerica(TM) is the single largest producer of Internet talk radio programming in the world, with over 5 million unique listeners and an average of 300,000 unique listeners a month on its Health & Wellness Channel. For more information about VoiceAmerica(TM), visit www.voiceamerica.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: The Wellness Community

CONTACT: Shannon Pao of The Wellness Community, +1-202-659-9709,
shannon@thewellnesscommunity.org

Web Site: http://www.modavox.com/
http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org/
http://www.voiceamerica.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment