Amanda Narod
amanda.narod@asco.org
571.483.1364
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The Conquer Cancer Foundation of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), formerly known as The ASCO Cancer Foundation, is recognizing oncology practices around the country for their work in clinical trials and five ASCO State Affiliate societies for programs that enhance cancer care in their communities.
The Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO Community Oncology Research Grant (CORG), Clinical Trials Participation Award (CTPA), and State Affiliate Grant Program (SAGP) recipients will be formally recognized at ASCO’s 47th Annual Meeting in Chicago, taking place June 3-7, 2011. More than $6 million will be presented by the Foundation through these and other grant and award programs at this year’s meeting.
“The Conquer Cancer Foundation applauds these community practices for taking the initiative to expand the reach of clinical trials efforts and important programs for patients with cancer,” said Martin J. Murphy Jr., PhD, DMedSc, chair of the Conquer Cancer Foundation Board of Directors. “We are also very excited about the work of the ASCO State Affiliates as the support they receive through the State Affiliate Grant Program will help societies explore issues at the state level and ultimately contribute to progress against cancer in their communities.”
Community Oncology Research Grant
The Community Oncology Research Grant provides funding to quality, U.S., community-based practices for efforts to enhance clinical trials programs. Each of the 2011 grant recipients will receive a one-year grant of up to $30,000 to pursue activities that will help improve their clinical research programs:
•The Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois, a multi-specialty group practice in Decatur, will develop a comprehensive research website to serve as a central repository for research protocols. The website will streamline administrative processes related to clinical trials and allow providers to focus on patient accrual.
•The Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (NBIMC) is one of Newark’s busiest teaching hospitals and has among the highest number of low-income patients in the state of New Jersey. NBIMC will implement a culturally sensitive clinical trials education program targeting patients, local residents, and the medical community.
Clinical Trials Participation Award
The Clinical Trials Participation Award, supported by the Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups, recognizes practices that have established high-quality clinical cancer research programs. Awardees are selected based on several factors, including patient accrual rates, accrual of minority and underrepresented populations, and innovative techniques in overcoming barriers to participation in clinical trials. Award recipients receive complimentary Annual Meeting registration, a travel grant to attend the meeting, and $500. This year’s award-winning practices include:
•Children’s Hospital of New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
•Cooper Cancer Institute
Voorhees, New Jersey
•Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute
Sarasota, Florida
•Missouri Baptist Medical Center
St. Louis, Missouri
•Northeast Radiation Oncology Center
Dunmore, Pennsylvania
•St. Joseph Hospital of Orange
Orange, California
State Affiliate Grant Program
The State Affiliate Grant Program provides funding to State/Regional Affiliates to undertake new initiatives that will lead to improved medical practice, collaboration, research efficiencies, and ultimately improved patient care. ASCO’s State/Regional Affiliates are a vital component to effective advocacy and a critical resource for addressing issues of concern to the cancer community. The 2011 honorees and projects include:
•The Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO) will develop an end-of-life initiative focused on training community- and academic-based advanced registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants on palliative care intervention. The development of this program addresses a critical need as FLASCO members have reported that no such services are currently available in the state.
•The Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology (GASCO) will collaborate with the Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education Inc. to develop electronic working groups and tumor boards. The project will bring together both academic- and community-based oncology and hematology specialists to create multidisciplinary working groups by tumor site in order to improve clinical trials education and accruals.
•In an effort to meet the ASCO/ONS (Oncology Nursing Society) Chemotherapy Administration Safety Standards, theMichigan Society of Hematology and Oncology will optimize existing oral therapy resources and provide patients with a nurse educator at the time of prescription to improve drug adherence and safety.
•The New Mexico Society of Clinical Oncology will address the needs of its community by learning about the cultural attitudes of the Hispanic and Native American population toward cancer. Gaining knowledge about the different cultural beliefs and how they influence patient attitudes on screening, diagnosis, and treatment will improve the ability of oncologists to deliver the best possible cancer care to patients in this population.
•The Tennessee Oncology Practice Society (TOPS) will formulate state-wide working groups to develop specific practice protocols for major cancer types with the purpose of obtaining acceptance of the protocols from Tennessee oncologists and private insurers. TOPS will develop software for measuring compliance with the developed protocols and distribute it to participating oncology practices.
Supporting Organizations
•The 2011 Community Oncology Research Grant is supported by Novartis Oncology.
•The 2011 Clinical Trials Participation Award is supported by the Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups.
•The 2011 State Affiliate Grant Program is supported by Amgen and Eisai Inc.
The information included in this release is current as of April 14. Please visit the Conquer Cancer Foundation website,www.conquercancerfoundation.org, for the most current listing of recipients and supporters and for more information about the grant and award programs.
