HispanicBusiness

AUSTIN, TX -- (Marketwire) -- 02/04/12 -- To mark World Cancer Day, LIVESTRONG® today announced a new initiative to help cancer survivors facing exceptional challenges. Jose Antonio Ventura, a bone cancer survivor and resident of East Austin, and his family have been selected as the first recipients of the new LIVESTRONG Survivor Support Initiative to receive special assistance from the Foundation.

"LIVESTRONG is committed to improving the lives of people affected by cancer," said Doug Ulman, LIVESTRONG president and CEO. "Through the new Survivor Support Initiative, the Foundation is deepening its commitment to families affected by cancer and demonstrating the impact a community can have when collaborating on a shared mission. We look forward to working with our friends and partners in the Central Texas area to improve the Venturas' quality of life and their ability to thrive in spite of cancer."

The Ventura family represents the growing Hispanic population in the United States. Cancer rates for Hispanics are projected to increase by 142% by 2030, compared to 45% for the overall U.S. cancer incidence. Hispanics, who as a demographic tend to have lower incomes, less education and less insurance, have lower survival rates for most cancers, which may reflect less access to timely, high-quality treatment. LIVESTRONG has recently expanded its outreach to the Hispanic community in an effort to close the gap in the health disparities for Hispanics diagnosed with cancer.

In August 2010, Jose Antonio sought support from the LIVESTRONG Cancer Navigation Center for a number of practical and financial obstacles related to his illness. As the Foundation learned more about him and his family, their neighbors in the East Austin community, they realized the Venturas were faced with overwhelming challenges that were being precipitously worsened by Jose Antonio's illness.

For the past 16 years, Jose Antonio has made a living by working manual labor jobs -- sweeping parking garages and streets and working in kitchens. His hands tell the story of his hard life. A year after being diagnosed with bone cancer, Jose Antonio suffered a stroke. He is currently receiving chemotherapy at Brackenridge Hospital. He is no longer able to work because of his illness and that loss of income makes life even more difficult for this family.

Maria, Jose Antonio's wife, is now the only bread winner in the family. She works in food service making less than $20,000 a year to support a family of five, but wants the best for her children and is determined to give it to them.