New Cancer Survivor Clinic Created by the Connecticut Challenge and St. Vincent’s Medical Center
May 1, 2009
CONTACT: Kristin Jones
St. Vincent’s Medical Center
(203) 576-6431
Bridgeport, CT, May 1, 2009 – St. Vincent’s Medical Center of Bridgeport, Connecticut has
formed a new partnership with the Connecticut Challenge of Fairfield. The partnership will result
in the formation of a survivor clinic at the new Elizabeth M. Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer
Care due to open January 2010. The new survivor clinic will include wellness and fitness
education, free lectures, nutritional counseling, psychosocial support and complimentary spa
therapies such as massage, yoga and reiki. St. Vincent’s has begun recruiting physicians who are
interested in the needs of survivors.
St. Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation Board Member and Co-chair of St. Vincent’s Capital
Campaign, Chuck Mattes of Redding helped create the partnership. “It seemed only natural for
these two organizations to partner together. In addition to providing cancer screening and
education programs, St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound’s mission is also to help cancer
patients and their families both in the form of financial assistance while they are in treatment,
and also in the form of support programs during treatment and recovery. With the help of the
Connecticut Challenge that commitment will continue long after they’ve completed treatment.
Many survivors experience recurrences of cancer and this clinic will direct them to change
behaviors and reduce their risks,” said Mattes.
Founded by Jeffrey Keith, a cancer survivor of Fairfield, John Ragland of Westport and Matthew
Vossler of Darien, the Connecticut Challenge is a non-competitive bike ride that raises money
for cancer survivors. The relationship between Keith, Vossler and St. Vincent’s dates back to
1987 with St. Vincent’s first SWIM Across the Sound.
Corporate Senior Vice President of St. Vincent’s Medical Center and President of the St.
Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation Ronald J. Bianchi had worked closely with Jeff Keith in
the early days of the SWIM Across the Sound. “It is very rewarding to be working with Jeff
again and sharing a commitment to help cancer survivors in Connecticut. Both the SWIM and
the Connecticut Challenge share a vision of helping those at risk and making a difference in their
lives,” he said.
”The Connecticut Challenge is honored to support St. Vincent’s. They have a vision for caring
for cancer survivors that is unique and far-reaching,” said Jeff Keith. “Their exceptional work
will improve the lives of cancer survivors and that is the mission of our organization. This will
also mean a lot to our thousands of cyclists, volunteers and donors from the greater Bridgeport
community. We are excited to move forward,” he said.
There are an estimated 120,000 cancer survivors living in Connecticut today. Many of them will
battle long-term medical problems as a result of their chemotherapy and radiation treatments,
including lymphedema, heart disease, nerve damage, sexual dysfunction and early menopause in
women.
By screening for long-term health and psychosocial effects from the disease and treatments, the
goal of the CT Challenge survivor clinic at St. Vincent’s will be to educate and empower
survivors to optimize their health, quality of life and longevity. Connecticut is among the very
few states with a comprehensive program dedicated to meeting the needs of cancer survivors.
About St. Vincent’s Medical Center
St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, CT is a 473-bed community teaching and referral
hospital with a Level II trauma center and a 76-bed inpatient psychiatric facility in Westport. St.
Vincent’s provides a full range of inpatient and outpatient services with regional centers of
excellence in cardiology, surgery, cancer care, orthopedics, diagnostics, women’s and family
services, behavioral health, senior health and an array of specialized services.
St. Vincent’s Medical Center is a subsidiary of St. Vincent’s Health Services, which include St.
Vincent’s Behavioral Health Services, Westport Campus, St. Vincent’s College, St. Vincent’s
Special Needs Services, St. Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation and St. Vincent’s Immediate
Health Care Centers. It is a member of Ascension Health, the nation's largest Catholic healthcare
system. St. Vincent's is a teaching affiliate of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine
and of New York Medical College. The Medical Center is also sponsor of Swim Across the
Sound, one of the nation’s largest hospital-based cancer prevention and patient support
programs. For referral to a St. Vincent’s physician or about programs and services, call the tollfree
Care Line at 1-877-255-SVHS (7847) or visit www.stvincents.org.
About the Connecticut Challenge
The Connecticut Challenge is a non-competitive bike ride based in Fairfield, CT that raises
money for the cancer survivorship programs of the Connecticut Challenge, including
survivorship clinics, research grants, symposiums and survivor education and awareness events.
Riders of all ages and skill levels can register for a 12, 25, 50, 75 or 100-mile ride and raise
funds from personal sponsors to support their efforts. The 2009 Connecticut Challenge will take
place on Saturday, July 25th, starting and finishing in Fairfield, CT. To register to ride,
volunteer or make a contribution to the 2009 event, please visit www.ctchallenge.org.
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