March 9, 2011

• More on ASCO's Champions Against Cancer

Greensboro, NC – The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the world’s leading professional organization representing doctors who care for people with cancer, have joined forces to highlight cancer awareness at this season’s ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina. The campaign will focus on providing information on all types of cancer as well as the latest research.

The tournament game telecasts on the ACC Network will include information about cancer and the research being conducted by member schools of the ACC. In addition, educational materials and resources will be available to fans at the ACC FanFest and through the official ACC website, theACC.com. Fans will also be encouraged to visit Cancer.Net, ASCO’s patient website, which provides oncologist-approved information about cancer.

“We are excited that the ACC is part of this cancer awareness initiative and look forward to a relationship with ASCO and the medical community,” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. “Many of our institutions are involved in cancer treatment research that we hope will eventually lead to the eradication of this terrible disease.”

“This initiative with ACC allows us to expand on ASCO’s Champions Against Cancer program, which uses sports-oriented collaborations and platforms to educate and empower people about cancer and their health,” said George W. Sledge, Jr., MD, President of ASCO. “So many people tune in to the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament on television or come to Greensboro to see the games live. It’s a great opportunity to capture their attention and inform them about the latest treatment advances in cancer.”

The new relationship supports a key ASCO goal—to provide credible and timely cancer information to both physicians and patients so they can make informed decisions about cancer prevention and treatment. Through Champions Against Cancer, ASCO raises awareness about cancer and reaches new audiences with information from Cancer.Net.

About the Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is comprised of twelve (12) renowned academic institutions: Boston College, Clemson University, Duke University, Florida State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Maryland, University of Miami, University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, University of Virginia, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Wake Forest University. Now in its 58th year of competition, the ACC has long enjoyed the reputation as one of the strongest and most competitive intercollegiate athletic conferences in the nation. Since the league’s inception in 1953, ACC schools have captured 120 national championships, including 64 in women’s competition and 56 in men’s. In addition, NCAA individual titles have gone to ACC student-athletes 130 times in men’s competition and 91 times in women’s action. The Conference is headquartered in Greensboro, NC. For more on the ACC, visit theACC.com.

About the American Society of Clinical Oncology
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world’s leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With nearly 30,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs and peer-reviewed journals. For ASCO information and resources, visit www.asco.org. Patient-oriented cancer information is available at www.Cancer.Net.