WASHINGTON, March 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of people in the Washington, D.C. area who are impacted by cancer will have the unique opportunity to meet world-class researchers and renown expert panelists to discuss the latest developments in cancer research at Cancer Forum 2006: A Public Forum Highlighting the Latest Discoveries. The Forum is scheduled for Saturday, April 1, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Washington (999 Ninth Street, NW).
Cancer Forum 2006 is a free, half-day public gathering for cancer patients, survivors, advocates, families, caregivers and others interested in cancer. The Forum offers the public a rare and close-up look at the cutting- edge of cancer treatment and prevention. More than 500 people are expected to attend. Cancer Forum 2006 is organized by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the world's largest and most prestigious professional organization devoted to cancer research.
"Cancer Forum 2006 brings some of the most talented researchers and impassioned cancer advocates to the Washington, DC area," said Gwen Darien, Director of Patient Advocacy Programs, American Association for Cancer Research. "I am encouraged by the strong interest from concerned patients, caregivers and loved ones who want to learn more about cancer and how they can help advance our efforts to prevent and cure this disease."
Cancer Forum 2006 will provide the opportunity for attendees to visit with experts, hear inspiring stories from cancer survivors, and learn about the latest patient support and advocacy efforts that define the cancer community today. Also, door prizes including gift certificates to Austin Grill and a free night's stay at the Renaissance will be raffled during the Forum.
Major topics to be addressed at the Forum include the impact of cancer research, the biology of cancer, drug discovery and development, and updates on clinical trials. Attending this year's event are prominent physicians and advocates, such as Anna Barker, Ph.D., Deputy Director for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, National Cancer Institute; Alex A. Adjei, M.D., Professor of Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine (formerly of Howard University and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Hospital); Lynn M. Matrisian, Ph.D., Professor of Cancer Biology, Ingram Professor of Cancer Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; cancer survivor Mary Jackson Scroggins, In My Sister's Care and member of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Director's Consumer Liaison Group (DCLG); and several others.
Each year, the Cancer Forum opens the AACR Annual Meeting, which is attended by more than 16,000 scientists from around the world who share significant discoveries in the cancer field. As part of the annual meeting, AACR's Survivor and Patient Advocacy Program organizes the Cancer Forum to offer the local community an opportunity to learn about emerging science in everyday terms. In addition, cancer support programs and networks will be showcased to help patients, survivors and their families with prevention, survivorship and treatment decision-making.
To address the unmet public need for understandable and credible information about cancer research and policy, AACR is launching a new magazine: CR -- a magazine about people and progress in cancer. Its mission is to strengthen collaborations and communications among the key constituencies in the cancer community with a goal of accelerating the prevention and cure of cancer. CR is intended for cancer patients, survivors, advocates, caregivers and interested physicians and scientists. It will be published quarterly, with two single-topic issues planned during its first year. A charter subscription drive is underway, targeting paid subscribers. For further information, please go to http://www.crmagazine.org.
For more information about Cancer Forum 2006: A Public Forum Highlighting the Latest Discoveries, please visit http://www.cancerpublicforum.org or call AACR at 215/440-9300 ext. 240.
The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, AACR is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The membership includes more than 24,000 basic, translational, and clinical researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and more than 60 other countries. AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific and educational programs. It funds innovative, meritorious research grants. The AACR Annual Meeting attracts over 16,000 participants who share the latest discoveries and developments in the field. Special Conferences throughout the year present novel data across a wide variety of topics in cancer research, treatment, and patient care. AACR publishes five major peer-reviewed journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; and Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Its most recent publication, CR, is a magazine for cancer survivors, patient advocates, their families, physicians, and scientists. It provides a forum for sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in cancer research, survivorship, and advocacy.
American Association for Cancer ResearchCONTACT: Danette Berry of Spectrum Science Communications,+1-202-955-6222, dberry@spectrumscience.com, for AACR; or Karen Russell ofAACR, +1-215-440-9300, russell@aacr.org
