February 17, 2010

Cancer Research Institute Executive Director to Appear in Community Health Charities Podcast Series Focused on Men's Health and Cancer

American men are 25 percent less likely than women to visit a doctor, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.  The Health Matters at Work® program of Community Health Charities has partnered with the Cancer Research Institute, American Lung Association, and American Kidney Foundation to deliver an important message to men – see your doctor.

The 4-part podcast series begins on February 17, 2010, and is available at www.healthmattersatwork.org.  Throughout the series, experts from nationally recognized health organizations in cancer research, kidney disease and lung health share compelling information and reasons why men should see a doctor.  Panel members also discuss what diseases men are more at risk for, what kinds of tests doctors might use to screen or diagnose health issues, and at what ages these tests should take place.

"Cancer research ultimately is what innovates and improves how doctors treat patients.  But right now, while we wait for new therapies to emerge, early detection and treatment are our most effective weapons in the fight against cancer.  The fact that men are less likely to visit a doctor means there are fewer opportunities to work with them to conduct the appropriate screenings at the various recommended ages.  Getting the word out to all men about the importance of regular check-ups with their doctor is crucial, especially for men at high risk," said Jill O’Donnell-Tormey, PhD, executive director, Cancer Research Institute.
 
A total of 40 Health Matters at Work™ video podcasts have been developed with the support of numerous Community Health Charities members, including Autism Speaks, American Diabetes Association, Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and many other leading health charities in America.  View and subscribe to the series at www.healthmattersatwork.org.

The schedule for publication of this series is as follows:

• Part I -- Men's Health Issues panel discussion - February 17
• Part II -- featuring Cancer Research Institute - March 3
• Part III -- featuring American Lung Association - March 17
• Part IV -- featuring American Kidney Fund - March 31

Contacts:

Brian M. Brewer
Cancer Research Institute
(212) 688-7515, ext. 242

Jamie Gallisdorfer
Community Health Charities
(703) 528-1007, ext. 105

About the Cancer Research Institute
The Cancer Research Institute (CRI) is the world’s only non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to the support and coordination of scientific and clinical efforts that will lead to the immunological treatment, control, and prevention of cancer.  Guided by a world-renowned Scientific Advisory Council that includes four Nobel Prize winners and twenty-nine members of the National Academy of Sciences, CRI supports leading-edge cancer research at top medical centers and universities throughout the world.  The Cancer Research Institute is ushering in a new era of scientific progress, hastening the discovery of effective cancer vaccines and other immune-based therapies that are providing new hope to cancer patients.

The Cancer Research Institute has one of the lowest overhead expense ratios among non-profit organizations, with more than 85 percent of its resources going directly to the support of its science, medical, and research programs.  CRI meets or exceeds all 20 standards of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, the most comprehensive U.S. charity evaluation service, and according to Charity Navigator exceeds or meets industry standards and performs as well as or better than most cancer charities.  CRI has also received an 'A' grade for fiscal disclosure and efficiency from the American Institute of Philanthropy as well as top accolades from other charity watchdog organizations. For more information, visit http://www.cancerresearch.org.

About Community Health Charities
Community Health Charities works in partnership with 55 of the nation’s most trusted health charities through its network of 36 affiliate offices.  Together with its member charities and corporate partners, Community Health Charities works to improve the lives of people affected by a disability or chronic disease by uniting caring donors in the workplace with health issues and causes important to them and their families.  A full listing of the Community Health Charities membership can be found on the organization’s website at www.healthcharities.org/member-charities.  For more information, please call 800-654-0845. 

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