For Immediate Release: Dec. 13, 2010

Grady’s Cancer Center of Excellence Honored By American Cancer Society for Advancing the Society’s Mission

Contact: Denise Simpson
Phone: (404) 616-6855
E-mail: dsimpson@gmh.edu

Contact: Elissa McCrary
American Cancer Society
Phone:(404) 949-6418
E-mail: elissa.mccrary@cancer.org

The American Cancer Society recently honored Grady Memorial Hospital, in addition to some of Atlanta’s best-known companies, for their outstanding support of the society’s programs and their work to advance the society's mission to eliminate cancer. The awards were presented November 30 at the Annual Corporate Leadership Awards Luncheon.

The Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence at Grady Health System (GCCE) was honored with the "Get Well Healthcare Provider Award," a new award this year, presented to a hospital that implements ACS programs and services to help its patients get well. An American Cancer Society Patient Resource Navigator is onsite at Grady to help newly diagnosed cancer patients with information and assistance.

"Assisting patients and their families to move forward during times of health crisis is something the GCCE does well," says Dr. Roland Matthews, cancer center medical director. "A variety of resources, some unique to our center, are available to the patients, including our excellent patient navigator program made possible by the American Cancer Society."

The GCCE has partnered with the American Cancer Society on strategies to accomplish community outreach goals identified by the cancer committee, including community screenings and education.

According to the cancer society, one in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetimes. That means that of the 2.7 million employees working for the companies represented at the awards luncheon, more than 1 million of them will likely be diagnosed with cancer.

About Grady Health System
Grady Health System is one of the largest public health systems in the United States. Grady consists of the 953-bed Grady Memorial Hospital, nine neighborhood health centers, Crestview Health & Rehabilitation Center - and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, which is operated as a Children's affiliate.

With its nationally acclaimed Emergency Care Center and Burn Unit, Grady Health System has the only level I trauma center in the region and serves as the 911 ambulance provider for the city of Atlanta. The state's only Poison Center is housed at Grady, as well.

The Diabetes Detection & Control Center, Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, Primary Stroke Center and Avon Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center are also notable components of the health system. Moreover, Grady's Infectious Disease Program was named one of the top three HIV/AIDS outpatient clinics in the country.

Other exceptional medical services include Grady's Regional Perinatal Center and its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the Primary Care Center, a dedicated 60 Plus service line for older adults, Teen Services, and the Rape Crisis Center.

About The American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

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