AUSTIN, TX -- (Marketwire) -- 03/12/13 -- Today, the LIVESTRONG Foundation opened online voting for its popular Community Impact Project, which is offering $1.2 million in implementation awards to bring programs that have demonstrated success in improving the lives of people affected by cancer to 72 sites including hospitals, cancer centers and non-profit organizations across the nation. Through the online voting campaign at LIVESTRONG.org/vote, the public has the opportunity to take action on behalf of those facing cancer in their own communities. Voting began at 10 a.m. CT this morning and will close on Thurs., Mar. 28 at 5 p.m. CT.

Voting is split into eight regions based on population and applicants with the highest number of votes in each region will receive funding to implement the model program they have applied for. The awarded sites will be announced on April 15.

The programs selected for replication are the Advanced Certification for Palliative Care, Camp Kesem, the Creative Center at University Settlement Artist-in-Residence Program and LIVESTRONG at the YMCA. 2013 marks the second year of replication by the Foundation for Camp Kesem and the Advanced Certification for Palliative Care and the third year for the Creative Center and LIVESTRONG at the YMCA.

The public can cast votes -- one vote per program, per region -- for the following 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 Artist-in-Residence 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.
  
  

The first year of the Community Impact Project in 2010 saw more than 300 organizations apply for one of three model programs and grew to 400 organizations voting for one of four in 2011. Since the program's inception, more than a million votes have been cast in the U.S., resulting in 47 states benefiting from this initiative.

Organizations chosen to implement one of the model programs will receive up to $15,000 to support the implementation. They will also receive a toolkit consisting of facilitator manuals, participant materials and evaluation forms; training and support from the model program's staff; access to additional tools and resources; and a full report on the historical replication of this program upon completion.

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.

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