Media Contact: Michael Schwartzberg, GBMC Media Relations Manager

(O): 443-849-2126/Cell: 410-258-3465eMarch 2:]    

 “Fight Back Express” Rolls Into Towson To Fight Cancer

BALTIMORE, Md. – May 30, 2008 –  Cancer survivors Bobbi Elliott and Colette Nichols are two of many supporters of the “War on Cancer” looking forward to the American Cancer Society’s “Fight Back Express” rolling onto the Greater Baltimore Medical Center campus.

A ‘rolling petition’, shrink-wrapped in the American Cancer Society logo and already adorned with thousands of signatures from stops in several states, the bus will stop at GBMC’s Rose Park on Wednesday June 4^th, 330-4:15 p.m. 

Cancer survivors, current patients, oncology staff members and others are expected to add their messages to the ‘rolling petition’ in memory of someone who lost their battle or in recognition of someone fighting the disease. Visitors can also learn about the American Cancer Society’s advocacy campaigns to raise the issues of access to quality affordable healthcare for all Americans, create a smoke-free nation, fight for more cancer research and cancer screening funding. 

The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network is sponsoring the “Fight Back Express” travels across the 48 continental United States through Election Day in an effort to make cancer a higher national priority by educating the public, lawmakers, candidates and the media about the importance of government’s role in defeating cancer.   The bus is carrying a mobile message that Americans have the power to fight cancer through their voices and their votes.

“There has been tremendous progress in the fight against cancer, as evidenced by the reduction in death rates from cancer every year since 1991,” said Gary Cohen, M.D., medical director of the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC.  “But continued success is at risk if Americans don’t have access to cancer prevention, early detection and treatment.”

More than 47 million people in America are uninsured and countless millions more are underinsured, making them more likely to be diagnosed at later stages when cancers are more deadly.  Too often, lifesaving cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment programs are not available to patients who need care the most.  

“Scientific discovery alone will not defeat cancer,” added Robert Brookland, M.D., GBMC’s chairman of radiation oncology and a board member of the American Cancer Society’s South Atlantic Division. “The federal government is by far the largest source of cancer research funding, but years of budget freezes and cuts are impeding progress.”

Bobbi Elliott, who was diagnosed in January 2006 with stage 3 lung cancer (an inoperable tumor) and underwent a regimen of chemotherapy and radiation therapy at GBMC, is doing well and is looking forward to the arrival of the “Fight Back Express.”

“Cancer is a curable disease, we just have yet to find the cure,” she said.  “It should be everybody’s concern because if someone’s family has not yet been affected by cancer, chances are it’s just a matter of time.”

Colette Nichols was diagnosed with breast cancer in the fall of 2004 and was also treated at GBMC, receiving support through the hospital’s Patient Navigator Program, a joint initiative between the American Cancer Society and GBMC.

“We can make this disease history,” said Nichols.  ““We know what we need to do to win the war on cancer.  Now we need our elected officials to join us and support laws and policies that will help fight this disease.”

GBMC’s oncology program    has repeatedly been ranked among the nation’s leading cancer programs by U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Hospitals” issue (2006, 2005, 2001, 1999).

Some facts about the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC (formerly known as GBMC’s Cancer Center):

Ø        2,000+ newly diagnosed and treated cancer patients annually; one of the busiest community hospital cancer programs in the state of Maryland

Ø        A clinical research program affiliated with several national cancer research organizations, offering 50+ clinical trials; 150+ patients enrolled in clinical trials annually, significantly exceeding National Cancer Institute goal of 3 percent of all newly diagnosed cancer patients

Ø        Innovative approaches to comprehensive, integrated and multidisciplinary cancer care are provided by the Joseph S. Keelty Inpatient Oncology Care Unit; Lois Harvey Miller Infusion Therapy Center; McGovern Oncology Support Services;    Milton J. Dance, Jr., Head & Neck Center; Rita M. Kwasnik Cancer Center; Sandra and Malcolm Berman Comprehensive Breast Care Center; and Sheila K. Riggs Radiation Oncology Center 

Ø        Accredited with commendation by the American College of Surgeon’s Commission on Cancer

About GBMC
GBMC includes Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC), Central Maryland’s leading community hospital; Gilchrist Hospice Care, which provides comfort and care to patients with life-limiting illnesses; and the GBMC Foundation, which supports the GBMC mission by managing fundraising efforts.  The 298-bed Medical Center, located on a beautiful suburban campus, serves nearly 22,000 inpatients annually and provides approximately 60,000 emergency room visits. For more information, go to www.gbmc.org