CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY BENJAMIN CENTER TO HONOR FRANCES FISHER, JOYCE GREEN AND MATTHEW LOSCALZO AT ANNUAL GILDA AWARD GALA

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 9, 2016) – Cancer Support Community Benjamin Center (CSC) presents its annual Gilda Award Gala, Friday, May 13, 2016 at the InterContinental Los Angeles, Century City. The evening of humor, fun and celebration will honor actress Frances Fisher with the “Gilda Award;” CSC advocate, Joyce Green with the “Wellness Award;” and City of Hope’s Matthew Loscalzo, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with the “Harold H. Benjamin Innovation Award.” National television host, producer and cancer survivor John Sencio hosts.

“Each of our honorees exemplify the very best of our dedicated supporters who know firsthand how crucial our organization can be in improving the quality of life and enhancing the potential of recovery,” said Julia Forth, Executive Director, CSC. “We are extremely proud to have them as part of our family and grateful that their efforts shed light on the CSC’s important work which encourages active participation in cancer treatment, camaraderie and community.”

British-born American actress Frances Fisher’s childhood living in the United Kingdom, Columbia, Canada, France, Brazil, Turkey, Italy, Iowa and Texas undoubtedly provided fodder for her acting career. Fisher has starred in over 30 theatrical productions and is a member of the Actors Studio. With many outstanding film roles to her credit, she is perhaps best known for her performance as Kate Winslet’s mother in Titanic, which garnered Fisher a Screen Actors Guild nomination for Best Ensemble Cast. The film went on to receive 11 Academy Awards. Fisher’s work in television has spanned critically acclaimed movies to recurring and guest starring on some of the best known shows on television. She just wrapped a featured role on Criminal Minds (April/May, 2016). Her latest film, Outlaws and Angels (Sundance 2016 Critics’ Pick, co-starring daughter Francesca Eastwood) opens in July. Fisher’s philanthropic work includes supporting the Cancer Support Community Benjamin Center, Peace Over Violence, Environment California, Race to Erase MS and Survivor Mitzvah, among others. She serves on the board of the Environmental Media Association, SAG-AFTRA and is an Ambassador for NWHM. Fisher is being celebrated for her positive influence on the community by promoting wellness and a culture and spirit of generosity.

Joyce Green began her career in the medical field by establishing her own insurance billing company, MEDI-SEC. At UCLA she worked with Dr. Donald Morton, Chief of Oncology, raising money for cancer research. In 1991, Dr. Morton, Green and the cancer program, supported by John Wayne’s family, moved to Saint John’s Hospital in the first merging of an academic cancer program with a community hospital forming the John Wayne Cancer Institute. Joyce also served as Director of Development for Cancer Support Community Benjamin Center. As a two-time breast cancer survivor, she has been a strong advocate of the psychosocial support services which CSC, first known as The Wellness Community, provides.

Matthew Loscalzo, LCSW, is Liliane Elkins Professor in Supportive Care Programs, Professor of Department of Population Sciences, Executive Director of the Department of Supportive Care Medicine and the Administrative Director of the Sheri & Les Biller Patient and Family Resource Center at the City of Hope-National Medical Center. Professor Loscalzo has over 35 years of experience in caring for cancer patients and their families. He is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the clinical, educational and research domains of psychosocial aspects of cancer and serves on the editorial boards of a number of professional journals. His articles have appeared in over 100 publications.

About the Cancer Support Community Benjamin Center

CSC’s mission is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community. In 2009, The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club joined forces to become the Cancer Support Community. The combined organization provides the highest quality social and emotional support for people impacted by cancer through a network of 50 licensed affiliates, more than 120 satellite locations and vibrant online and telephone communities, touching more than one million people each year. The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and the Institute of Medicine advocate that services provided by CSC are an integral part of quality “patient-centered” cancer care. Cancer Support Community Benjamin Center was founded in 1982 in Santa Monica, California by Dr. Harold and Harriet Benjamin. Cancer Support Community Benjamin Center offers 100% free invaluable emotional and psychological support and healthy life-style services, including education and social activities.

Table packages begin at $2,500; individual tickets, $300. For more information, please contact Jen Cook, CSC Development Director, at 310-314-2589 or visit www.cancersupportcommunitybenjamincenter.org.

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Contact: Pam Giangregorio

Katy Sweet & Associates Public Relations

(310) 479-2333 / Pam@KatySweetPR.com