Stony Brook University Medical Center Named LIVESTRONG® Community Impact Project Award Recipient
The Institution is First Medical Center in NY State to Receive Award and Launch Program
STONY BROOK, N.Y.
, November 12, 2010 – Stony Brook University Medical Center is a recipient of the LIVESTRONG® Impact Project Award. The project, created by LIVESTRONG, the organization founded by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong to serve people affected by cancer and empower them to take action, will bring a proven cancer support program to SBUMC and other communities in the United States. SBUMC is the first medical center in New York State to secure the award.
“We are thrilled and honored to be named as a Community Impact Project award recipient,” says Steven L. Strongwater, M.D., CEO, Stony Brook University Medical Center. “This award will go a long way in helping people in our community who are affected by cancer. We want to give special thanks to everyone who voted in support of this program. Together, we’re making a difference in the lives of cancer survivors and their families.”
According to LIVESTRONG, 179 qualified hospitals, cancer centers and community organizations in eight regions across the United States were selected to participate in an online voting campaign. Over a two-week period, more than 260,000 votes were cast and SBUMC was among the finalists. SBUMC will use the $4,000 award to launch a 6-week educational and support program, called Cancer Transitions™, for cancer survivors in 2011.
Cancer Transitions is designed to support, educate and empower people with cancer in the transitional period after treatment is over. The program incorporates support groups, education, nutrition and physical exercise, as well as addressing other medical management, psychosocial and quality of life issues. The program also provides survivors with practical tools and resources to formulate a personal action plan for survivorship beyond their participation in Cancer Transitions.
“I can empathize with patients as they begin the next step in their journey from patient to survivor,” says Linda Bily, Patient Advocate, Cancer Services, and also a cancer survivor. Bily was instrumental in bringing the LIVESTRONG program to the attention of SBUMC administrators and staff. She emphasizes that the award will provide more tools to help SBUMC patients and survivors.
“LIVESTRONG is dedicated to providing the best direct services to people affected by cancer and encourages our supporters to be actively involved in leading the unified LIVESTRONG movement against cancer,” adds Doug Ulman, president and CEO of LIVESTRONG. “The LIVESTRONG Community Impact Project is exercising an innovative approach that engages more people in our mission and allows them to play a critical role in the organization’s programming.”
LIVESTRONG is committed to supporting community organizations in their efforts to help cancer survivors face the challenges and changes that come with cancer. Since its inception in 1997, the organization has invested more than $68 million in community-centered organizations.
About LIVESTRONG
Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong and based in Austin, Texas, LIVESTRONG fights for the 28 million people around the world living with cancer today. LIVESTRONG connects individuals to the support they need, leverages funding and resources to spur innovation and engages communities and leaders to drive social change. Known for the iconic yellow wristband, LIVESTRONG’s mission is to inspire and empower anyone affected by cancer. For more information, visit www.LIVESTRONG.org.
About Stony Brook University Medical Center
Stony Brook University Medical Center is Long Island’s only university-based academic medical center. It serves as the region’s only tertiary care center and Level 1 Trauma Center, and is home to the Stony Brook University Heart Center, Cancer Center, the Stony Brook Long Island Children’s Hospital, the Institute for Advanced Neurosciences, and the Gastroenterology Program. Stony Brook provides Suffolk County’s only Level IV Regional Perinatal Center, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, state-designated AIDS Center, state-designated Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Department, ALS Center of Excellence, and Kidney Transplant Center. It is home of the nation’s first Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center. To learn more, visit www.stonybrookmedicalcenter.org.
