WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 27, 2017)—Amid proposed federal government budget cuts, more than 250 cancer researchers, medical professionals, policymakers, patients, caregivers, survivors, and advocates will convene in Washington, D.C. today for Cancer Moonshot: One Year Later. The summit is jointly hosted by seven of the leading cancer organizations: Cancer Support Community (CSC), American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), CancerCare, Friends of Cancer Research, LIVESTRONG Foundation, National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), and the National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF). Following the launch of the Biden Cancer Initiative yesterday, the summit will celebrate the Biden Cancer Moonshot Initiative’s first-year of progress, identify gaps, define opportunities for ongoing and new collaborative action, and continue to build momentum around the national effort to end cancer as we know it.

“This second gathering of such a large and varied group of stakeholders is proof of the far-reaching impact of Vice President Biden’s call to action,” remarked Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of CSC. “In the face of proposed government budget cuts, the non- profit and corporate sectors are stepping up to carry the Moonshot forward, demonstrating a collective unwavering commitment to reaching its goal. Cancer Moonshot: One Year Later is an opportunity for the cancer care community to come together, announce new initiatives, examine previous ones and, stay the course towards accelerating the rate of cancer discoveries.”

The Cancer Moonshot aims to dramatically accelerate progress toward cures—to make a decade's worth of advances in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care in just five years. In his final State of the Union address in January 2016, former President Barack Obama tasked former Vice President Joe Biden with leading the Cancer Moonshot. At the June 2016 Cancer Moonshot Summit, Vice President Biden called on stakeholders to publicly pledge commitments to ensure the Cancer Moonshot, an unprecedented collaboration between researchers, oncologists, care providers, philanthropists, data and technology experts, advocates, patients, and survivors, would reach its goal by 2020.

“The Cancer Moonshot Initiative, led by Vice President Biden, really galvanized people to work together. CSC is helping maintain our collective sense of optimism by convening various groups to identify opportunities for progress. We urge Congress and the current administration to build on this momentum and continue to make fighting cancer a top national priority,” said Chris Hansen, President of the ACS CAN.

"Despite the current turmoil in health care policy and funding, it's critical to maintain the Cancer Moonshot momentum behind collaboration, discovery, and keeping patients at the center of all our efforts," said Patricia J. Goldsmith, CEO of CancerCare.

“In its first year, the Cancer Moonshot has been a great success by priming the research community to discover revolutionary new treatments for patients,” said Ellen Sigal, Chairperson and Founder of Friends of Cancer Research. “Despite the incredible progress, it is imperative that we remain vigilant in ensuring our scientists and researchers continue to receive the crucial funding they need to make new therapies a reality for patients.”

“The Cancer Moonshot Initiative sparked a renewed national commitment to fight cancer. While so much work is left to be done, this event marks the progress made since the historic announcement a year ago. LIVESTRONG remains dedicated to advancing its moonshot pledge and working alongside others in the cancer community to improve services for cancer survivors,” said Greg D. Lee, President of LIVESTRONG.

"Too many cancer patients today face the dual tragedies of fearing the science won't save them, and they wouldn't be able to afford it even if it could. We need initiatives like the Cancer Moonshot to keep us focused, as a nation, on bringing innovation to all those who need it,” said Alan Balch, CEO of NPAF.

Updates from major initiatives announced by the Cancer Moonshot Blue-Ribbon Task Force will be presented. The summit’s goal is to help maintain, foster, and support the efforts, pledges, and goals made in 2016 moving forward.

Featured speakers and panelists include:

• Greg Simon, President, Biden Cancer Initiative
• Doug Lowy, MD, Acting Director, National Cancer Institute
• Chris Draft, former NFL star, President and Founder, The Chris Draft Family Foundation
• Lauren Belive, Senior Federal Government Relations Manager, Lyft
  • Lyft commits to expand its Boston-based "Treatment Transport" partnership to all 200+ cities Lyft currently serves by 2020.
• Ramy Ibrahim, VP & Head of Research and Development, Parker Institute forvCaner Immunotherapy
• Alicyn Campbell, MPH, Global Head, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research for Oncology, Genentech
• Debbie Saslow, PhD, Director, Cancer Control Intervention for HPV Vaccination & Women’s Cancer, American Cancer Society.

Cancer Moonshot: One Year Later is taking place on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the JW Marriott, Washington, D.C.

See Cancer Moonshot On Year Later for more information about Cancer Moonshot: One Year Later.

Watch the Summit live starting at 10 a.m ET: www.facebook.com/cancersupportcommunity

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – (April 10, 2019) – The Cancer Support Community (CSC) will honor the Barbara Bradley Baekgaard Family Foundation with the Founders Award for Spirit at its Spring Celebration slated for Tuesday, April 16 in New York City. This award recognizes leaders in the philanthropic community who make valued contributions in helping patients and their loved ones navigate a cancer diagnosis.

In 2017, the foundation announced a transformational grant to CSC, a global nonprofit that provides more than $50 million in free support services to patients and their loved ones. In just two years, the Barbara Bradley Baekgaard Family Foundation has enabled CSC to provide free support groups, education workshops, and cutting-edge technology that identifies patients who are at high-risk for distress at locations in Colorado, Hawaii, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

Of particular note, the grant to CSC also established a partnership with the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation on the Navajo Nation—which is the first full-time cancer care center on an American Indian Reservation. This collaboration has resulted in the development of a culturally-adapted cancer support and education program for the Navajo people.

“We are so proud that the Cancer Support Community is a chapter in the amazing story of Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and her family,” said Jill Durovsik, Chair of CSC’s Board of Director, who will present the award to Bradley Baekgaard. “In less than two years, the family foundation’s grant is already delivering free, professionally-led services and resources on a national scale. Barbara’s boundless energy and enterprising spirit, including the recent launch of the new Baekgaard USA premium luggage and accessories line for men, reflects the rare combination of business acumen with an unparalleled commitment to making a difference in people’s lives.”

“The Cancer Support Community is a wonderful organization because you know where the money is going,” Barbara Bradley Baekgaard said. “It is about giving patients a menu of choices that fit their needs, whether support groups, yoga, nutrition classes, or more. I also want to credit my family, my children and grandchildren, for their leadership of this foundation. It is so rewarding to see three generations involved in what I call the joy of giving back.”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, Mar 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - As first reported by Broadway.com, the Cancer Support Community (CSC) will recognize Broadway star and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) survivor Ashley Park with the first-ever Marin Mazzie Award for Empowerment at its Spring Celebration slated for Tuesday, April 16 in New York City.

In 2016, Mazzie and her husband, Broadway star Jason Danieley, received CSC’s Founders Award for Empowerment. After Mazzie passed away last year from ovarian cancer, CSC renamed the award after the three-time Tony nominee to recognize notable public figures who use their platform to both advocate for and inspire people who are living with cancer and their loved ones. Danieley will present the award to Park, a Tony nominee for her performance in "Mean Girls," at the ceremony.

Since Park’s diagnosis of AML at the age of 15 and her remission after eight months of hospitalization, she has been an advocate for the cancer community, especially in her support for those living with cancer in the Broadway community.

“Ashley Park’s courage in sharing her cancer experience with the world has inspired hope for patients and families on a global scale,” said Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of the Cancer Support Community, a global nonprofit that provides $50 million in free services to patients and their loved ones each year. “We are honored to recognize Ashley, who has such a strong relationship with Jason and had such fondness and admiration for Marin. For those of us who were fortunate to know Marin and experience her powerhouse talent and immeasurable strength, seeing Jason present this honor to Ashley will be both emotional and inspiring.”

Park and Mazzie’s paths crossed when they performed together in the revival of “The King and I.”

“Ashley Park’s story, compassion, and wild good sense of humor immediately endeared her to Marin - cut from a similar cloth. That and Ashley’s quiet thoughtfulness, during their shared time together, immediately brought her to mind when CSC asked me who should be the inaugural recipient of the Marin Mazzie Empowerment Award,” Danieley said. “I am certain she will continue down the path of light and love as Marin would have herself.”

“It is honor enough that I had the privilege of experiencing Marin's deep generosity, her vibrant humor, her passionate spirit and incomprehensible strength each performance during her triumphant return to the Broadway stage, her home, in THE KING AND I,” Park said. “As a long-time fan of Marin, I was profoundly in awe to be in her fierce embrace and glow each show. As a cancer survivor, I was immensely humbled and moved that I could be there for Marin as a support during that transitional chapter of her journey. Marin Mazzie has always been breathtaking. So when her dear Jason first asked if I’d accept the inaugural Marin Mazzie Award for Empowerment from the Cancer Support Community, I lost all ability to breathe and had no words. There aren't enough words to express how much this means to me. All I can say is that I will continue to be a champion of life, love and joyful spirit, like my friend Marin.”

About Ashley

Ashley Park is a Tony and Grammy nominated actress who most recently originated and starred in MEAN GIRLS on Broadway as 'Gretchen Wieners' which garnered her a Tony nomination for Featured Actress in a Musical, as well as Drama League, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Chita Rivera Award nominations in 2018. In this same season, she starred in the award winning "KPOP" and was honored with the esteemed Lucille Lortel award for Lead Actress in a Musical, and second Drama League and Drama Desk nominations. She starred as "Tuptim" in Lincoln Center’s Tony-Award Winning revival of The King and I (Grammy nom.), where she had the great delight and honor of working with Marin Mazzie. Other Broadway: Sunday in the Park… (Celeste 1, Dot u/s), Mamma Mia!. Off-Broadway: "Mwe" in KPOP (Lortel Winner; DD & DL nom.). Tour: Cinderella (Gabrielle). She is the proud recipient of Actor Equity Association's 2018 Clarence Derwent Award and a graduate of the University of Michigan. She recently wrapped shooting on the first season of Netflix's highly anticipated TALES OF THE CITY being released in summer 2019.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – (April 4, 2019) – The Cancer Support Community (CSC) will present Incyte with the Founders Award for Innovation at its signature event slated for Tuesday, April 16 at The Lighthouse on Pier 61, part of the acclaimed Chelsea Piers complex on New York City’s Hudson River waterfront.

Incyte’s significant support of CSC’s patient-focused mission includes a myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) awareness campaign, the award-winning Frankly Speaking About Cancer patient education programs, the CancerSupportHelpline® staffed by mental health professionals who field thousands of calls each year, and the policy institute which elevates the voices of patients in health-related debates. In 2018, Incyte’s support paved the way for CSC to create a new digital platform dedicated to MPN patients, caregivers and influencers through its support of “Unlocking Answers in MPN.”

“Incyte is an anchor to the Cancer Support Community – helping us to provide greater knowledge and understanding of the important resources available to cancer patients from prevention to education, social and emotional support, and patient care and advocacy,” said Linda House, president of the Cancer Support Community. “We honor Incyte’s innovation as a tribute to the thousands of patients and caregivers who have benefited from the resources they helped us create.”

“We are grateful to the Cancer Support Community for this recognition and for their partnership to help strengthen patients’ overall wellbeing, especially those living with rare cancers like MPNs who may not otherwise have access to a great deal of resources,” said Hervé Hoppenot, Chief Executive Officer, Incyte. “Incyte believes strongly in the vision of the Cancer Support Community to ensure that people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.”

The Spring Celebration will benefit CSC’s growing global nonprofit network of 196 locations, including CSC and Gilda's Club centers, hospital and clinic partnerships, and digital resources that provide more than $50 million in free support services to patients and families.

New York, NY – (September 14, 2018) – The Cancer Support Community (CSC), a global nonprofit network, honors the life, contributions, and heroic advocacy efforts of celebrated actress Marin Mazzie, a three-time Tony Award nominee, who died from ovarian cancer yesterday.

As part of the global nonprofit’s policy efforts, Mazzie met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and encouraged other citizens diagnosed with cancer to add their voice to debates over policy affecting patients and caregivers. In addition, she and her husband, Jason Danieley, worked with performance venues to channel proceeds from ticket sales to contribute to CSC’s network of affiliates, hospital and other health-care partners, and online resources that provide $50 million in free services to individuals each year.

“The entire Cancer Support Community mourns the passing of our champion and ally Marin Mazzie,”said Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of the Cancer Support Community. “Marin was a relentless advocate for all the work we do to help cancer patients and their loved ones. Our thoughts are with her husband, Jason Danieley, their friends and family, and the entire Broadway community. Her legacy is one of courage and determination—a spirit that will continue to inspire us and all the families affected by cancer who turn to our organizations for support.”

PASADENA, CA – (May 21, 2019) – The inaugural Kathryn West Inspiration Award was presented to Andy Tao and Jeanne Beesley at the finish line of the Amgen Tour of California. The Kathryn West Inspiration Award was established to honor the work of Kathryn West who was the founding leader of Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer®, an initiative that brings awareness of and resources to patients and families impacted by a cancer diagnosis.

Linda House, president of the Cancer Support Community, presented the inaugural Kathryn West Inspiration Award to Andy Tao and Jeanne Beesley for their relentless support and advocacy of patients and caregivers who have been touched by cancer. Tao and Beesley entered their own cancer journey when Tao was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia 20 months ago. Tao and Beesley have been the official photographers for Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® for the past 10 years.

“After learning of her cancer diagnosis in 2016, Kathryn exhibited a combination of passion and strength that was evident in her work,” House said. “In honor of the way she inspired us all, we established the Kathryn West Inspiration Award.”

In addition, Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of the Cancer Support Community, said, “Kathryn may not be here with us physically, but her inspiration flows through champions like Andy Tao and Jeanne Beesley whom we are honored to recognize as the inaugural recipients of this prestigious award.”

“My wife Jeanne and I will do our best to accept and represent this award not for ourselves but for Kathryn and all the people that she helped through the years and all the people that we hope we can help through the years,” Tao said.

“Kathryn West was one of the original co-founders of Breakaway from Cancer® and her vision and tireless commitment for more than a decade were instrumental in the birth and growth of the national initiative. Today, Breakaway from Cancer® has grown into a partnership between Amgen and six independent nonprofit organizations dedicated to empowering patients with education, resources and hope, offering a broad range of services to people affected by cancer,” said Christophe Bourdon, general manager for Amgen’s US Oncology Business. “Kathryn was a true inspiration and her influence will live on through Breakaway and individuals like Andy Tao and Jeanne Beasley who continue in their courageous advocacy for others.”

WASHINGTON – (May 2, 2017) – The Cancer Support Community (CSC), an international nonprofit organization, announces its support for the bipartisan legislation, H.R. 2244, introduced by Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ) and Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) in the U.S. House of Representatives. CSC commends Congressman Lance and Congresswoman DeGette for their continued leadership and advocacy on patient protection and patient-centered legislation.

The “Patient Experience in Research Act of 2017” (PERA) will launch a voluntary pilot project to evaluate the social and emotional distress experienced by patients participating in a clinical trial of a drug or biological product that is intended to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition.

There is general agreement in the medical community that clinical trials are the best way to learn what works in treating diseases like cancer. For cancer patients, clinical trials provide them access to new cutting-edge therapies, often the next generation of treatment. This can be a new drug, a combination of drugs, or a different way of using established therapies.

However, according to CSC’s Access to Care in Cancer 2016: Barriers and Challenges report, over 53 percent of surveyed cancer patients did not receive social and emotional support services, including screening for distress as part of their cancer care. Psychosocial distress screening and support is a fundamental element of comprehensive cancer care.

“CSC applauds the vision and leadership to introduce this transformative bill,” said Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of the Cancer Support Community. “Integrating the collection of information about the patient experience into clinical research will ensure that valuable information is shared in a new and meaningful way. As a result, we expect that in the future, doctors will be able to identify patient needs early on and intervene as appropriate, thus making sure that the patient adheres to the recommended treatment protocol in order to achieve the best possible outcome and quality of life.”

“A difficult diagnosis can take its toll on a patient. Information about the patient experience, including the challenges that come with a diagnosis, is needed to help improve the clinical trial process. Many patients are counting on the research and the products that are being developed in promising clinical trials. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with my colleague

Representative DeGette to help measure additional factors so patients and their caregivers have the best research,” said Lance, a member of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee.

“I’m pleased to introduce the [PERA] with Congressman Lance," DeGette said. “Like all patients, people participating in clinical trials often experience psychological distress related to their conditions. [PERA] will help ensure that patients stay with clinical trials by testing ways to offer support to those who need it. Robust clinical trial participation is essential to advancing biomedical research. By closing current gaps in care for patients taking part in trials, we can both improve health outcomes and enhance the clinical trial itself.”

In 2013, Lance was honored by CSC’s Cancer Policy Institute with the Public Policy Award for Research for his commitment to health and cancer care issues. DeGette was one of the two original authors of the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act, which allocated $1.8 billion in cancer research funding when it became law in December. CSC is committed to working with members of Congress to build strong bipartisan support for PERA in order to protect cancer patients and their loved ones nationwide.

WASHINGTON, DC — The Cancer Support Community (CSC), a global nonprofit, announced the addition of Susan Ash-Lee, MSW, LCSW to serve as Senior Director, Clinical Services. Ash-Lee will be responsible for all clinical program services, including in-person, telephonic, and digital support, all critical components of the $50 million in free services CSC provides patients and their loved ones each year.

A recipient of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society’s Outstanding Clinician Care Award in 2010, Ash-Lee comes to CSC after serving as the Director of Clinical Social Work at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers (RMCC), the largest provider of cancer care in that state. RMCC also is one of CSC’s health-care partners, a collaboration that provides patients with the organization’s many support resources as part of their treatment regimen.

“Susan brings tremendous experience to this critical role,” said Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of the Cancer Support Community. “She will work with the licensed professionals at our CSC and Gilda’s Club affiliates, the helpline, and our expanding network of hospital and health-care partners to advance our mission of providing the gold standard in support care for patients and their loved ones.”

Ash-Lee’s role will take her to all 196 locations where CSC programs operate, and she will be based in the CSC office that was established earlier this year when digital nonprofit MyLifeLine.org became part of CSC.

“Joining the Cancer Support Community at a time when the organization is growing is so thrilling,” Ash-Lee said. “My career has been about building robust supportive care oncology programs that integrate research, psychosocial support, and post-treatment survivorship in a way that ensures the best experience for the patient. To build on this work with CSC’s leaders at the global level and in communities with affiliates, hospitals, and health centers is such a privilege.”

Ash-Lee currently serves on the faculty for the Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care’s Leadership Institute, psychosocial staff for Casting for Recovery, and is a member of the client services council for Project Angel Heart.

A native Coloradoan, she earned a master’s degree in social work from the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in English from Westmont College. She is also a licensed clinical social worker in Colorado and California.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - (June 6, 2018) - The Cancer Support Community’s (CSC) board of directors elected two Denver leaders to its national board of directors at its recent meeting in New York.

David Hicks and Lizzy Morton previously served on the board of directors for MyLifeLine.org, a Denver-based digital nonprofit that became part of CSC in January. CSC now maintains an office in Denver from which MyLifeLine Founder Marcia Donziger leads the national organization’s business development and digital strategies operation.

“We know that Denver residents are proud to call their city the Health Tech Hub—and we are thrilled to be a part of this dynamic and growing community,” said Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of the Cancer Support Community. “Now that MyLifeLine is part of CSC, we will combine our organizations’ tremendous assets to create the gold standard in digital support for cancer patients and their loved ones. David and Lizzy were instrumental in making it possible for MyLifeLine to serve thousands of patients and caregivers. As we write the next chapter in innovation, their insight, expertise, and commitment will take us to new levels.”

David Hicks

Retired since 2012, Dave was the Chief Information Officer at HealthGrades, Inc. He currently works as a part-time technology consultant. He graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems.

Elizabeth “Lizzy” Morton

Lizzy Morton is currently the editor of a monthly magazine publication, Cherry Hills Village Living. She previously worked as an attorney for Moye White LLP and Dorsey & Whitney LLP. Lizzy’s practice focused on Intellectual Property litigation and appellate work in the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. She remains a licensed attorney in Colorado, representing clients at structured settlement transfer hearings in district court. Lizzy earned a B.A. in International Studies and Political Science from Rhodes College and a J.D. from the University of Denver College of Law.

Denver-based MyLifeLine.org adds to the global network of 190 service locations, including 47 CSC and Gilda’s Club affiliates, partnerships with hospitals, and educational resources that touch one million people each year. CSC’s role as the leading voice for patients also includes in-depth research and policy.