Cancer Support Community Convenes Cancer Moonshot Summits on June 29

WASHINGTON, DC, June 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Cancer Support Community, an international nonprofit, is leading summits in 31 locations across the country today, June 29, in conjunction with Vice President Joe Biden's Cancer Moonshot Summit held in Washington, D.C.

In addition, Cancer Support Community Headquarters CEO Kim Thiboldeaux was a guest speaker this morning at the D.C. Cancer Moonshot Summit hosted by the White House at Howard University to share insights on the Cancer Support Community's work, and Dr. Lisa Richardson, Director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, will attend the Moonshot Summit hosted by Cancer Support Community Atlanta with Northside Hospital Cancer Institute this evening.

The Cancer Moonshot Summit is the first time that individuals and organizations representing the entire cancer community and beyond—researchers, oncologists, care providers, philanthropists, data and tech experts, advocates, patients and survivors—are convening under the national charge to double the rate of progress toward a cure.

"The Moonshot cannot be achieved by one person, one organization, one discipline, or even one collective approach," Vice President Biden said. "Solving the complexities of cancer will require the formation of new alliances to defy the bounds of innovation and accelerate the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and — ultimately — a cure. It's going to require millions of Americans speaking up and contributing what they're able. That's what the Cancer Moonshot Summit is all about."

The summits at Cancer Support Community affiliates included a livestream of Vice President Biden's remarks this morning and a facilitated discussion about priorities specific to the local community. An archived video of the DC Moonshot Summit will be accessible following the event at www.whitehouse.gov/cancermoonshot.

"We are thrilled that our patients and advocates around the country have been called to the table as we convene these important conversations about cancer research. Together we are united in the goal to create more positive outcomes for people impacted by cancer," said Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of the Cancer Support Community.

The goal of the Cancer Moonshot is to double the rate of progress in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care over the next five years and to ultimately end cancer as we know it.

For more information on local Moonshot Summits hosted by the Cancer Support Community, please visit http://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/partnering-cancer-moonshot-initiative 
 
About the Cancer Support Community

As the largest professionally led nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide, the Cancer Support Community (CSC) is dedicated to ensuring that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community. CSC achieves its mission through three areas: direct service delivery, research and advocacy. The organization includes an international network of Affiliates that offer the highest quality social and emotional support for people impacted by cancer, as well as a community of support available online and over the phone. The Research and Training Institute conducts cutting-edge psychosocial, behavioral and survivorship research. CSC furthers its focus on patient advocacy through its Cancer Policy Institute, informing public policy in Washington, D.C. and across the nation. For more information, please call the toll-free Cancer Support Helpline at 888-793-9355, or visit www.CancerSupportCommunity.org. So that no one faces cancer alone^®