LIVESTRONG Foundation Announces Community Impact Project Award Recipients

AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwired - Apr 15, 2013) - Today, the LIVESTRONG Foundation announced the recipients of its Community Impact Project, which will distribute more than $1.2 million to bring proven cancer support programs to 72 sites across the United States.

"We are so appreciative of everyone who took action to bring the Community Impact Project to their communities," said Doug Ulman, Foundation president and CEO. "The LIVESTRONG Foundation fights to improve the lives of people affected by cancer today, and by immediately implementing these proven programs that provide critical emotional and physical support to those facing cancer, we are helping more people live life on their own terms. We take great pride in this opportunity to advance our mission."

Nearly 200 qualified hospitals, cancer centers, university students and community organizations in eight regions across the United States were selected to participate in the project's online voting campaign. The finalists of the campaign receive an award up to $15,000 to implement one or more of the following four programs:

• The Joint Commission's Advanced Certification for Palliative Care is designed to set standards and acknowledge hospitals providing state-of-the-art palliative care services that relieve symptoms and stress of serious illness and improve quality of life for patients. The Center to Advance Palliative Care will provide tools and training to 15 hospitals and cancer centers across the country to assist in their efforts to qualify for the certification.
  
  

• Camp Kesem, a university-based summer camp program for kids with parents affected by cancer, has been selected once before in 2011 when 12 new camps were funded. It began at Stanford University and has since grown to 41 camps in 24 states that serve more than 2,000 children each year. With this year's grant, 12 more camp sites will be funded.
  
  

• Since its inception in 1994, the Creative Center at University Settlement has been dedicated to bringing the arts to people with cancer and chronic illness through all stages of life as a way to help them discover their own creative resources while meeting the challenges of diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. The Arts Workshops program helps cancer survivors deal with the stresses of treatment through artistic expression. This year's grant will allow community-based organizations to fund outpatient art programs in partnership with their local hospital or cancer center. Including this year's grant, the LIVESTRONG Foundation has become the largest benefactor of visual arts in healthcare in the nation, spreading art programs to more than 40 cancer centers and hospitals since 2010.
  
  

• LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a research-based program that offers people affected by cancer a safe, supportive environment to participate in physical and social activities focused on strengthening the whole person. Participants work with Y staff trained in supportive cancer care to achieve their goals such as building muscle mass and strength; increasing flexibility and endurance; and improving confidence and self-esteem.

Since the Community Impact Project began in 2010, more than one million votes have been cast, resulting in the creation of more than 300 programs in 47 states. The online voting campaign took place over a two-week period from March 12-28. Finalists to receive funding were selected based on overall votes throughout their region, and across the country, with each of the eight regions awarded up to eight grants.

The financial awards provided by the 2012 LIVESTRONG Community Impact Project are currently being implemented at nearly 100 sites including hospitals, cancer centers, universities, and community-based organizations across the nation and will provide support to thousands of people affected by cancer upon completion. The LIVESTRONG Foundation is committed to supporting community organizations in their efforts to help cancer survivors face the challenges and changes that come with cancer and has invested more than $80 million in community-centered organizations.

About the LIVESTRONG Foundation
The LIVESTRONG Foundation provides free cancer support services to help people cope with the financial, emotional and practical challenges that accompany the disease. Created in 1997 by cancer survivor and philanthropist Lance Armstrong, the Foundation is known for its powerful brand -- LIVESTRONG -- and for its advocacy on behalf of survivors and their families. With its iconic yellow LIVESTRONG wristband, the Foundation has become a symbol of hope and inspiration around the world. Since its inception, the Foundation has served 2.5 million people affected by the disease and raised more than $500 million to support cancer survivors. One of America's top cancer non-profit organizations, the Foundation enjoys a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and has been recognized by the National Health Council and the Better Business Bureau for its excellent governance, high standards and transparency. For more information, visit LIVESTRONG.org.

2013 Community Impact Project Recipients

• Camp Kesem

  • Santa Clara University - Santa Clara, Calif.

  • University of California at Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, Calif.

  • University of Colorado - Boulder, Colo.

  • Yale University - New Haven, Conn.

  • BYU-Idaho - Rexburg, Idaho

  • Saint Louis University - St. Louis, Mo.

  • Stony Brook University - Stony Brook, N.Y.

  • Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland, Ohio

  • Penn State University - University Park, Pa.

  • Rice University - Houston, Texas

  • College of William & Mary - Williamsburg, Va.

  • Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond, Va.

• The Creative Center at University Settlement

  • Hartford Hospital - Hartford, Conn.

  • Creative Arts Workshop, Inc. - New Haven, Conn.

  • Shands Arts in Medicine - Gainesville, Fla.

  • Wellness Center - Macon, Ga.

  • Mercy Medical Center-Des Moines - Des Moines, Iowa

  • Treasure Valley Family YMCA - Boise, Idaho

  • Wellness House - Hinsdale, Ill.

  • St. Vincent Cancer Care - Indianapolis, Ind.

  • Swan for Life Cancer Foundation - Rochester, Mich.

  • Emerge Gallery and Art Center - Greenville, N.C.

  • Atlantic Health System - Morristown, N.J.

  • Stony Brook Cancer Center - Stony Brook, N.Y.

  • University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center - Cleveland, Ohio

  • Avera Cancer Institute - Sioux Falls, S.D.

  • Seattle Cancer Care Alliance - Seattle, Wash.

• Joint Commission's Advanced Certification for Palliative Care

  • Providence Little Company of Mary - Torrance, Calif.

  • University of Colorado Hospital - Aurora, Colo.

  • University of Connecticut Health Center - Farmington, Conn.

  • Shands Jacksonville Medical Center - Jacksonville, Fla.

  • Kapi'olani Medical Center - Honolulu, Hawaii

  • Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital - Lake Forest, Ill.

  • Beaumont-Royal Oak - Royal Oak, Mich.

  • Batson Children's Hospital - Jackson, Miss.

  • Sanford Health Fargo - Fargo, N.D.

  • Hunterdon Palliative Care - Flemington, N.J.

  • Elmhurst Hospital Center - Elmhurst, N.Y.

  • Mercy Hospital Ardmore - Ardmore, Okla.

  • Lancaster General Hospital - Lancaster, Pa.

  • Bon Secours Richmond Health System - Richmond, Va.

  • Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center - Spokane, Wash.

• LIVESTRONG at the YMCA

  • Birmingham Metropolitan YMCA - Birmingham, Ala.

  • Channel Islands YMCA - Santa Barbara, Calif.

  • New Canaan Community YMCA - New Canaan, Conn.

  • Central Florida Metro YMCA - Orlando, Fla.

  • YMCA of Berwyn-Cicero - Chicago, Ill.

  • YMCA of Michiana Inc. - South Bend, Ind.

  • Limestone Family YMCA - Maysville, Ky.

  • YMCA of the North Shore - Beverly, Mass.

  • Tri-Community YMCA of Southbridge Inc. - Southbridge, Mass.

  • Cape Cod Young Men's Christian Association - West Barnstable, Mass.

  • YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, Mich.

  • Niles-Buchanan YMCA, Niles, Mich.

  • YMCA of Mankato - Mankato, Minn.

  • Missouri Valley Family YMCA - Bismarck, N.D.

  • Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA - Sioux City, Neb.

  • YMCA of Madison NJ Inc. - Madison, N.J.

  • YMCA of Capital District - Albany, N.Y.

  • Marion Family YMCA - Marion, Ohio

  • Greater Scranton YMCA - Dunmore, Pa.

  • Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA - Philadelphia, Pa.

  • YMCA of Warren County - Warren, Pa.

  • Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA - Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

  • YMCA of Columbia South Carolina-Metro - Columbia, S.C.

  • YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga - Chattanooga, Tenn.

  • YMCA of Memphis and The Mid-South - Memphis, Tenn.

  • Greater Burlington YMCA - Burlington, Vt.

  • YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties - Tacoma, Wash.

  • Stateline Family YMCA of Beloit, Inc. - Beloit, Wis.

  • South Wood County YMCA - Port Edwards, Wis.

  • Racine Family YMCA - Racine, Wis.