EBMT Hosts Gathering Of Over 3,700 Top Scientists, Physicians, Nurses And Patients From More Than 75 Countries

Main Category: Blood / Hematology
Also Included In: Transplants / Organ Donations;  Lymphoma / Leukemia / Myeloma;  Conferences
Article Date: 16 Mar 2009 - 6:00 PDT

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EBMT, the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, is pleased to announce its 35th Annual Congress in Gothenburg, Sweden, from 29th March to 1st April. This meeting is a forum to promote all activity aimed at improving stem cell transplantation (SCT) and cellular therapy. The meeting fosters exchange of the latest scientific findings between researchers, physicians, nurses, and data managers, as well as provides a forum for families, patients and others to meet, network, and exchange their experiences related to SCT and cellular therapy.

The congress has been carefully prepared to offer a scientifically stimulating and highly informative meeting. The Scientific Programme encompasses symposia, educational sessions and workshops covering issues related to the specific problems of stem cell transplantation in clinical practice, indications for transplantation, as well as basic and translational science relevant to the field. The sessions will be led by experts in the field of blood and marrow transplantation.

This year, the two plenary sessions focus on the cutting edge topics of the use of stem cells in the field of Regenerative Medicine - presented in three exciting talks on how stem cells can be used for organ repair - and on Immune Regeneration and Infection, which will address one of the historical limitations of stem cell transplantation and how knowledge about the regeneration of the immune system can help combat the threat of infection. The latest findings in the use of cord blood in the treatments of haematological malignancies will also be an important part of the programme. All of these issues will be discussed taking into account the paediatric perspectives.

The 25th Meeting of the EBMT Nurses Group

The topic this year is "Quality of life lessons - into the future". Physicians and nurses will discuss the late effects of Bone Marrow Transplantations on sexuality and quality of life.

The 3rd EBMT Patient & Family Day

The third EBMT Patient & Family Day will take place in Gothenburg on Saturday 28th March. This event is now an established and integral part of the annual EBMT meeting and takes place the day before the scientific meeting each year. It is a unique opportunity for patients to share their experience. The programme will consist of three presentations, three plenary sessions and four workshops led by physicians, nurses and patients. The morning programme addresses important questions regarding the integrity of the sibling stem cell donors, and the problems that may occur when two family members meet the challenge of a stem cell transplantation; one as a patient and one as a potential donor. The second plenary session discusses the consequences of a cancer diagnosis for the patient's body image, and the frequently overlooked problem of genital chronic Graft-versus-Host disease. In the afternoon, popular science lectures will be given on news and developments in the field of transplantation for leukemias, lymphomas and multiple myeloma.

For more information on the Congress and to see the full schedule, please visit http://www.congrex.ch/ebmt2009

About the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation is often the only curative treatment for different malignant diseases and is currently performed on more than 50,000 patients worldwide each year. The European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) as the leading non-profit, scientific society representing 527 transplant centres in and outside Europe, promotes all activity aiming to improve stem cell transplantation or cellular therapy. This includes registering all the activity relating to stem cell transplants with a view to improving treatment outcomes for patients. EBMT has set standards for indication and treatment for malignant and non-malignant diseases, along with running training programmes for continual professional development. These are continually audited and updated. EBMT is also responsible for accrediting the transplant centres based on their performance and data reporting.

Source
European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

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