Gary Bloom Selected as ThyCa’s Executive Director

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, a national nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization of thyroid cancer survivors, families, friends, and health care professionals, is pleased to announce the selection of Gary Bloom of Olney, Maryland, as Executive Director, effective September 10, 2007. ThyCa’s Board of Directors created this new position to support ThyCa’s tremendous growth in constituents and support services, outreach, and research advocacy over the past 12 years. Gary was selected by ThyCa’s Search Committee, led by Sara Brenner, Board Member and Director of Local ThyCa Support Groups, through an open nationwide search process and thorough review of candidates.

In collaboration with the Board of Directors, Gary will be responsible for day-to-day management to further ThyCa’s vision and strategic plan to further grow support services, education, and outreach, especially for underserved populations, as well as to foster research advocacy and alliances.

A thyroid cancer survivor since 1995, Gary Bloom served as Assistant Chair of the steering committee that developed ThyCa. He has served as Chair of ThyCa’s all-volunteer Board of Directors since 1999. In April 1999, he founded and became facilitator of ThyCa’s Washington, D.C. Thyroid Cancer Support Group, which meets monthly.

In addition to leading ThyCa’s management services, technology development, and conference planning, he has recruited and trained dozens of volunteers for ThyCa’s support services, outreach, and technology and administrative support. He is also strongly involved in research advocacy and in developing alliances with medical professional associations and patient support organizations.

Like most of ThyCa’s volunteers, Gary Bloom became involved in ThyCa because of being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. In 2001, he was selected for the National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute’s advisory panel Consumer Advocates in Research and Related Activities.

For the past 18 years, he has been employed by a high-tech firm, first as controller, and later in a series of project management and development positions.

“As ThyCa continues to realize unprecedented growth, “ said Search Director Sara Brenner, “we are thrilled to bring on a full-time Executive Director who will steward the expansion of our services and enable ThyCa to serve more survivors and their families.”

Since its beginnings in 1995, ThyCa has grown and multiplied, expanding from one online chat room meeting weekly to providing a wide array of free support services and resources with help from more than 300 volunteers. Free services include more than 60 local support groups in the United States, Costa Rica, and Philippines; nine e-mail support groups; a Person-To-Person Network; a survivors’ toll-free number; a web site with more than 600 pages, with ongoing input and review from more than 50 physician specialists; a free online newsletter; and more than a dozen downloadable publications, including materials in Spanish.

The 10th International Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Conference will be held on October 19-21, 2007, in San Francisco, California, and will feature 25 distinguished physicians plus more than 30 other speakers. ThyCa also sponsors Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month in September, year-round awareness activities for early detection, and research fundraising. This year is its fifth year of awarding thyroid cancer research grants.

Free materials and information about thyroid cancer, ThyCa’s free support services, and educational events are available by e-mailing to thyca@thyca.org, calling 1-877-588-7904, faxing to 1-630-604-6078, writing to PO Box 1545, New York, NY 10159-1545, or visiting www.thyca.org