Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association Granted Tax-Exempt Status by IRS

The world's only organization for thyroid cancer survivors has been granted tax-exempt status by the United States' Internal Revenue Service. "We
are pleased to have been granted 501(c)(3) designation as a not-for-profit organization," says Gary Bloom a thyroid cancer survivor in Olney, MD,
and Chair of the ThyCa Board of Directors. "Tax exempt status will help us seek funding to carry out the mission of the Association. As a volunteer organization, we depend on donations, educational grants and membership fees to reach survivors around the world."

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc. provides services and resources to thyroid cancer survivors and their families around the world. 
Organized following the first annual conference for thyca (thyroid cancer) survivors held in Massachusetts in October 1998, a national steering
committee incorporated the association in March 1999.

"In just the past year," Bloom adds, "we have established a web site, created a permanent mailing address and toll-free telephone service for
survivors, organized local support groups in the U.S. and Canada. Plus we are now in the midst of planning our third annual conference for survivors and their families. Tax-exempt status will help us secure the financial support we need to expand these free services."

ThyCa's web site has proven to be an invaluable resource for survivors, especially those newly diagnosed with this rare cancer. Since starting in
early 1999, the site has grown rapidly, now getting more than 40,000 visitors a month. The site includes a description of types of thyroid cancer
and its treatment, news releases, history of the association, listing of local support groups and facilitators in the U.S. and Canada, information about future conferences and links to other resources. The site also includes an electronic membership application and advance electronic registration for conferences. The address for ThyCa's web site is <www.thyca.org>.