Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 02 Jun 2010 - 3:00 PDT

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The ASCO Cancer Foundation is pleased to announce that World and U.S. figure skating champion and cancer advocate Kimmie Meissner will be the guest speaker at the first annual Answers to Cancer, a free educational event with the world's leading cancer doctors on Monday, June 7. Answers to Cancer offers the public opportunities to interact with noted cancer experts gathering in Chicago for the world's premier cancer research meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Answers to Cancer will be held at 6:30 p.m. CT at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers.

Meissner is the 2006 World, 2007 U.S. and 2007 Four Continents champion. She is the first American and the first woman to simultaneously hold all three titles. A favorite among skating fans, she placed sixth at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. Meissner, the 2005 U.S. bronze medalist and 2006 U.S. silver medalist, also captured U.S. titles at the novice (2003) and junior (2004) levels. She has been actively involved with cancer awareness and fundraising efforts for many years, after losing a close friend and her aunt to cancer. She is the co-founder and spokesperson for the Cool Kids Campaign, an organization that helps children with cancer.

"The ASCO Cancer Foundation is delighted that Kimmie Meissner will be joining us to kick off our first-ever Answers to Cancer," said Nancy R. Daly, MS, MPH, executive director of the ASCO Cancer Foundation. "Kimmie's personal experiences have had a profound impact on her life, and she is passionate about supporting children and adults with cancer through a wide range of advocacy and fundraising efforts. Her role in this event also highlights the strong partnership between the American Society of Clinical Oncology and U.S. Figure Skating, established last year."

Cancer.Net, the Society's patient website, served as title sponsor of 2009 Skate America, one of six international competitions in the International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. Cancer awareness is an official cause of U.S. Figure Skating, and the organization is an in-kind sponsor of Answers to Cancer.

"I'm excited to have been invited to participate in the Answers to Cancer event," Meissner said. "It's great to have the opportunity to speak to others about cancer awareness and the importance of advocacy and fundraising for this important cause."

Topics to be addressed at Answers to Cancer include the importance of clinical trials, advances in survivorship and prevention, and the latest news in cancer research and what it means for patients, families and caregivers. Panelists include Richard L. Schilsky, MD, Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Chicago Medical Center; Julie R. Gralow, MD, University of Washington School of Medicine and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; Stephen L. Grubbs, MD, Delaware Christiana Care Community Clinical Oncology Program, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center; Jennifer C. Obel, MD, NorthShore University Health System; Ann H. Partridge, MD, MPH, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; and Mary Lou Smith, JD, a 20-year breast cancer survivor and co-founder of the Research Advocacy Network.

Meissner will also sign autographs at the event. The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers is located at 301 East North Water St., Chicago, IL 60611. For more information about Answers to Cancer, visit http://www.cancer.net/answerstocancer.

About the ASCO Cancer Foundation

As the charitable arm of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), The ASCO Cancer Foundation funds research, education and cancer care programs both in the U.S. and abroad. By harnessing the knowledge of ASCO's 28,000 oncology professionals, we help deliver physician-approved information directly to those in need. Through these efforts, we improve the lives of those affected by cancer. For more information, please visit http://www.ascocancerfoundation.org.

About U.S. Figure Skating

U.S. Figure Skating is the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union. U.S. Figure Skating is comprised of more than 700 member clubs, collegiate clubs, and school-affiliated clubs and more than 900 registered Basic Skills skating schools representing approximately 170,000 members. U.S. Figure Skating is charged with the development of the sport on all levels within the United States including athletes, officials, sanctioning of events and exhibitions, and establishing the rules and guidelines by which the sport is governed.

Source
ASCO