Selma Ruth Schimmel died on May 21 from malignant psoas syndrome, a complication of the ovarian cancer, for which she was being treated. Schimmel, 59, died at Providence Tarzana Medical Center near her home in Los Angeles.
In 1983, after she learned of her diagnosis of breast cancer, she founded Vital Options to provide emotional and psychosocial support to young adults with cancer.
Schimmel produced hundreds of educational radio and video shows for the patient community as part of The Group Room. In 1999 Talkers Magazine named her one of the 100 most important radio talk-show hosts in America.
Her book, “Cancer Talk: Voices of Hope and Endurance from The Group Room, the World’s Largest Cancer Support Group,” was published in 1999 by Broadway Books, a division of Random House. The book was translated to Chinese. In 2000 Vital Options officially became an international charity based out of the American Hospital of Paris and run by Claude-Alain Planchon under the name Choix Vital.
Schimmel also produced videos for oncology professionals. Among her credits are The Group Room and Advocacy In Action. She filmed interviews and moderated panel discussions at the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, and at every other major oncology conference. Vital Options serves as a content provider for the European Society For Medical Oncology and has filmed at oncology conferences throughout Europe.
She was involved in projects with the Institute of Medicine, National Research Council, the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Coalition of Cancer Survivorship. She was a founding member of the LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance steering committee and sat on the C-Change Advisory Committee on Assuring Value in Cancer Care. She was recently honored with the C-Change Hidden Heroes award, the 2014 George and Barbara Bush Collaboration Award.
“Selma was a visionary who helped thousands of people afflicted with cancer to talk about their disease,” said Terry Wilcox, creative director, Vital Options International. “She enriched the lives of thousands of patients, caregivers, advocates, and physicians whose lives have been impacted by cancer.”
“Selma had a tremendous influence on the oncology community and will be remember as the consummate educator and advocate,” said Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. “Her life is a wonderful example of courage and grace.”
Schimmel was the daughter of Rabbi Meier Schimmel and Rebbetzin Rochelle Schimmel. Selma was a very engaged member of the board at Congregation Beth Meier, the first conservative synagogue in Studio City CA., her parents founded more than 50 years ago.
She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Debby and Ken Bitticks, four nieces, Shari, Michelle, Lynn and Sandi and their husbands, eight great-nieces and nephews.
A private burial is being held, but there will be a Memorial Celebration of Selma’s Life here in Los Angeles this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you send memorial donations to Vital Options International through VitalOptions.org or mailed to: Vital Options International, 17328 Ventura Blvd. #161, Encino, CA 91316
