The HealthCentral Network And The National Breast Cancer Coalition Create Alliance To Develop Online Resources

Main Category: Breast Cancer
Also Included In: IT / Internet / E-mail
Article Date: 22 Aug 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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The HealthCentral Network (http://www.healthcentral.com) and the National Breast Cancer Coalition ("NBCC") (http://www.stopbreastcancer.org) announce a collaboration to combine the strengths of NBCC's grassroots advocacy network and education efforts with HealthCentral's breast cancer online community and multimedia resources. The first joint project will be a regular blog from NBCC President Fran Visco, who will share her unique perspectives as a leading advocate for better breast cancer treatments and wider access.

The HealthCentral Network's breast cancer site at http://www.MyBreastCancerNetwork.com combines comprehensive medical information, interactive tools, and online access to health professionals, caregivers, and breast cancer survivors. With an emphasis on the patient perspective and experience, MyBreastCancerNetwork.com seeks to empower breast cancer patients and their supporters through connections to one another where they can share their knowledge, passion, and support. HealthCentral's sites include breaking news stories, customized newsletters, and a library of video and animation resources.

"NBCC's mission is to improve breast cancer research, treatment, access, and outcomes, and we welcome the opportunity to communicate our accomplishments through HealthCentral's breast cancer web site," said Fran Visco, NBCC founder and president. "Through our alliance with HealthCentral, we hope to increase awareness of our extensive efforts on behalf of breast cancer survivors. We look forward to sharing with the HealthCentral readers our scientific analyses of breast cancer research, and also hope that through that partnership we will find new participants for our various training programs. HealthCentral readers will relate to our commitment to eradicate breast cancer, and we welcome this new partnership."

"Fran's voice will provide the insight our breast cancer community is seeking about how individuals can fight a disease through political action and education," said Chris Schroeder, CEO and President of The HealthCentral Network. "NBCC has a strong history of forging partnerships that bridge the interests of policymakers, researchers, and patients. Most importantly, NBCC ensures that consumers, like those active on our web site, are part of the discussion."

About The HealthCentral Network

The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (http://www.healthcentral.com) is a new and unique online offering, comprised of over 30 general health and highly specific condition and wellness web properties, each committed to offering a voice in everyday and personal language people can understand and connect with at critical points in their lives. Each site provides timely, interactive, in-depth and trusted medical information (from Harvard Health among others), and connections to leading experts and thousands of people who share their related experiences and inspiration.

The HealthCentral Network recently launched personal health tools including the most comprehensive web solution for caregivers managing their communities of friends and families (http://www.carecentral.com). The company also produces the nationally syndicated television show, "Medical Breakthroughs with Dr. Dean Edell," and has a library of nearly 1,000 short-form, condition-specific videos throughout its network.

The HealthCentral Network was acquired in 2005 by Polaris Ventures, Sequoia Capital, The Carlyle Group and Allen & Company, and has built a management team that combines decades of experience in interactive media and medical, science and news journalism. The company received top recognition from The International Health and Medical Media Awards with a 2006 FREDDIE Award for http://www.MyDiabetesCentral.com and the Health Care Standard of Excellence WebAward from the Web Marketing Association.

About the National Breast Cancer Coalition

The National Breast Cancer Coalition is a grassroots membership organization, with hundreds of member organizations and tens of thousands of individuals dedicated to ending breast cancer through the power of action and advocacy. Along with its research and education arm, the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund, the Coalition's main goals are to increase federal funding for breast cancer research; improve access to high-quality health care and breast cancer clinical trials for all women; and expand the influence of breast cancer advocates wherever breast cancer decisions are made. Additional information can be found at http://www.stopbreastcancer.org.

The HealthCentral Network
http://www.thehealthcentralnetwork.com