FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2008

Contact: The HealthCentral Network
Lucie Leblois, Director of Marketing

703.302.1053

MyBreastCancerNetwork.com Debuts
“My Mom Has Breast Cancer”
in Recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Nikolai Hamel, 22, offers a son’s perspective on his mother’s breast cancer diagnosis and treatment through daily blogs, video, photo, interviews and more.

ARLINGTON, VA — In high school, breast cancer entered Nikolai Hamel’s life. When he was 15, his mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and pneumonia contracted because of her weakened immune system: harrowing challenges known only to those who have been through the disease. Now, Nikolai, 22, will recount what happened during that time each day in October, for the many moms who worry about the effect breast cancer will have on their families and for the children who wrestle with a mother’s diagnosis.

Nikolai’s story, shared by millions who are touched by breast cancer, will be told through blogs, video, photo, interviews and more on The HealthCentral Network's MyBreastCancerNetwork.com. This intimate look at cancer’s impact on family life, which Nik will distill into practical advice for parents and children alike, will illustrate setbacks and successes, while offering support to those battling breast cancer, their families, and friends.

 “Breast cancer is a ‘mom’s disease,’ and my mom has breast cancer, which means, in some crazed way, I have breast cancer, my dad has breast cancer, my grandmother, aunt, and uncle have breast cancer,” said Nikolai, whose mom, PJ Hamel, also writes on MyBreastCancerNetwork.com. To see more of his story, see http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/mom-has-breast-cancer.html.

The site will also provide “31 Days of Inspiration,” honoring the most moving posts from community members and experts; commentary from the famed “Cancer Vixen” Marisa Acocella Marchetto; and a series of comic strips detailing 27-year-old Natalia Hernandez’s struggle with breast cancer.

“Nik’s story, along with other powerful stories shared on MyBreastCancerNetwork.com, gives a different kind of support to patients, caregivers and family,” said Christopher M. Schroeder, president of The HealthCentral Network. “There is no substitute for connecting with someone who is going through or has gone through a similar situation – someone who knows how it feels to be diagnosed or have a loved one diagnosed with breast cancer.”

About The HealthCentral Network
The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is a leading online health resource, with more than 35 condition-specific and wellness sites. By offering connections to renowned experts, a network of patients and caregivers who share "real world" experience, and in-depth information, sites in The HealthCentral Network make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and caregivers. The HealthCentral Network also manages the highest-quality health advertising network, not building size for size's sake but engaging qualified audiences who value and connect with information from marketers on their terms.
The HealthCentral Network was acquired in 2005 by Polaris Venture Partners, The Carlyle Group, Sequoia Capital, and Allen & Company. In January 2008, the Company received a significant minority investment from IAC/InteractiveCorp and additional investment from its original investors, and IAC CEO Barry Diller joined the company’s board of directors. In April 2008, HealthCentral and IAC Ad Solutions Network announced a new ad network relationship, expanding the collective reach to nearly 50 million monthly unique users.
HealthCentral's management team combines decades of interactive media, medical and journalism experience: CEO and President Christopher Schroeder was CEO and Publisher of Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive, the interactive subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO).

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