International Symposium On Malignant Mesothelioma 2008

Main Category: Asbestos / Mesothelioma
Also Included In: Respiratory / Asthma;  Conferences
Article Date: 29 May 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Leading international experts on the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma, will join meso patients, caregivers, loved ones and advocates to share the latest in treatment, research and clinical trials at the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation's International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma, 2008, Thursday, June 26 - Saturday, June 28 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C.

The Symposium, organized annually by the Meso Foundation, will highlight the latest advances in research and treatment for patients and caregivers, offer psychosocial support to them as well as those who have lost someone to the disease, and provide significant advocacy and volunteer opportunities for all who are intent on eradicating the vicious and terminal effects of this tragic cancer.

Day 1: Advocacy, Thursday, June 26 is a rallying cry to the House of Representatives to move quickly on legislation banning asbestos and providing research funding for meso and asbestos related diseases. This legislation must be conferenced with the companion bill in the Senate and signed into law by the President before year-end. The second advocacy objective is to request that the Senate's Defense Appropriations Subcommittee maintain, for a second year, mesothelioma's eligibility to compete for medical research funding from the Department of Defense.

The Symposium's Co-Chairs, Dr. Nicholas J. Vogelzang, Chairman of the Meso Foundation's Board of Directors and the Director of Nevada Cancer Institute, and Dr. Raffit Hassan, Chairman of the Meso Foundation's Science Advisory Board and an Investigator at the National Cancer Institute, have put together an impressive and prestigious group of panelists for Day 2: Science, Friday, June 27.

A Gala Dinner will be held Friday evening, June 27, with three awards presented to individuals in recognition of their special contributions to the cause. Seventh grader Lexi Miletto, the granddaughter of Joseph Miletto who died in 2005 of peritoneal mesothelioma, will provide a personal perspective as a featured speaker.

Day 3: Community, Saturday, June 28, will be devoted to the community of meso patients, families and caregivers.

A tribute ceremony will be held memorializing those who passed away with the unveiling of a tribute wall listing their names.

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
http://www.curemeso.org