Thomas P. Sellers Chosen to be President & CEO of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), the nation's oldest survivor-led cancer advocacy organization, today announced that it has chosen Thomas P. Sellers of Brookline, Massachusetts to become its next President & CEO, effective October 19, 2009.

Mr. Sellers will succeed long-time NCCS President & CEO Ellen Stovall who will continue to serve as a senior advisor to the organization.

"As a 10-year cancer survivor who has held significant executive positions with the American Cancer Society (ACS), The United Way, and in Massachusetts state government, Tom Sellers brings substantial knowledge, professional and life experience to be an effective leader of NCCS and  a passionate advocate for cancer survivors," said Robert Sachs, Chair of the NCCS Board of Directors. "We are delighted to have been able to recruit Tom to lead NCCS into the future."

"Tom brings to NCCS his personal cancer survivorship experience, combined with notable and successful professional achievements in the cancer community. These, plus his other many qualifications bode well for a seamless transition of leadership and the future of NCCS," said Ms. Stovall.

Most recently, Sellers led the fundraising, community relations, and development activities for a $30 million American Cancer Society project to build a 50,000 square foot Hope Lodge in Boston to provide free lodging and services to cancer patients in treatment. Opened in 2008, the facility provides free lodging to over 1,000 cancer patients annually. While managing the Hope Lodge and other projects, Sellers also served as Chief Financial Officer for the Massachusetts and New England Divisions of ACS, a position he held from 1995 to 2009. From 1996-98 Sellers also served as Executive Director of the Greater Boston Regional Office of ACS. During this period he convened multiple constituencies spanning government, business and cancer centers to create the Boston Crusade Against Cancer.

Additionally, Sellers has been actively involved in the Massachusetts cancer community, as a board member of the Kenneth Schwartz Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, Health Law Advocates, and the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition. From 1989-1994, he served as a Vice President and then Senior Vice President of United Way of Massachusetts Bay, Inc. where he was responsible for finance and administration.

A graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School with a master's degree in public administration, Sellers has also served in the public sector as Assistant Commissioner for Finance, MA Department of Public Welfare, and Deputy Commissioner, MA Department of Correction.

"I have seen and experienced the lives of patient, caregiver, survivor and supporter at the end of life," Sellers said. "NCCS has done an outstanding job of giving cancer survivors an opportunity to influence public policy by sharing their experiences — good and bad, and by supporting evidence-based policies. I hope to build on that success by expanding NCCS's coalition and network of activists to advocate for quality cancer care and the best possible quality of life for millions of cancer survivors."

NCCS selected Sellers following a six-month nationwide search conducted by the Isaacson, Miller executive search firm. The NCCS search committee was chaired by NCCS Director and former Board Chair Dr. Catherine Harvey.

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