November 9, 2009                                                         
CANCER SUMMIT ANNOUNCES NEW MEXICO TO JOIN LEADER IN CANCER COMMUNITY
The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club Unify
to Provide Support to All People Affected By Cancer.              New Mexico’s PLTC to be Affiliate.

Washington, DC – This week a leader in the cancer community emerges, thanks to final steps uniting two well-known non-profits. The Cancer Support Community will likely be the largest professionally-led network of cancer support worldwide.
As the number of cancer survivors in the United States surpasses 12 million, the demand for support services throughout the continuum of care is increasing. The Cancer Support Community is poised to help meet these needs through their innovative and comprehensive offerings to those affected by cancer.  Albuquerque-based People Living Through Cancer, an affiliate of the Cancer Support Community, will continue to offer its renowned education and support services without any disruption.

“We are the same great organization dedicated to ensuring that no one in the state of New Mexico faces cancer alone,” said Bernadette J. Luján of People Living Through Cancer. “We look forward to being a part of what will likely be the largest professionally-led network of cancer support in the world, and to bringing our members the new and improved resources we are committed to developing.”

(more)

“As a cancer survivor, I understand the emotional and social impact of this disease,” said Ted Kennedy, Jr.  “So does the Cancer Support Community. The organization’s work is critical as it helps optimize patient care by providing essential, but often overlooked services that complete the cancer care plan.”
 “From my perspective, the marriage of these two respected organizations marks one of the most significant events in the cancer nonprofit community this year,” remarked Kennedy.

About New Mexico’s People Living Through Cancer                          Since its founding in 1983, People Living Through Cancer has developed on three levels: its philosophy has matured; its services have been refined and expanded; and its organizational structure has grown and become more secure. This connection with the national skills of The Cancer Support Community will be a major step forward to benefit New Mexicans.                                                                
About the Cancer Support Community
Backed by evidence that the best cancer care includes emotional and social support, the Cancer Support Community offers these services to all people affected by cancer. Likely the largest professionally-led network of cancer support worldwide, the organization delivers a comprehensive menu of personalized and essential services. Because no cancer care plan is complete without emotional and social support, the Cancer Support Community has a vibrant network of community-based centers and online services run by trained and licensed professionals. For more information, visit www.cancersupportcommunity.org.
The Cancer Support Community is now the largest employer of psychosocial oncology mental health professionals in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the organization includes a network of nearly 50 local Gilda’s Clubs and Wellness Community centers worldwide, more than 100 satellite locations and online support services that extend around the world. For more information about the Cancer Support Community, visit www.cancersupportcommunity.org.
In July 2009, The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club joined forces to become the Cancer Support Community. The combined organization provides high-quality psychological and social support through a network of nearly 50 local affiliates, more than 100 satellite locations and online.

Contact:                                                           
Peter Moulson
The Breakthrough Solutions Group
Albuquerque, NM
(505) 417-9139
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

# # #