1. Many people still die because of this terrible disease. The fact that specialists appreciate that in 20 years' time no one will die because of cancer is a hope. Maybe the period of time will be shorter.

Posted at 2:08PM on Oct 31st 2006 by Drug Detox

2. One group leading the search for cures for cancer is the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), with tens of thousands of researchers and researcher/clinicians as members, about 17,000 of whom attended last April's national conference in Washington, DC.

The AACR has a wonderful program for cancer survivors and advocates, known as the Scientist-Survivor Program. The concept is that survivors and advocates in the program learn from the scientists and in turn inform the scientists about the patients' experiences and put a human face on the disease. Essentially, those selected in a competitive process attend the national conference, then write about the experience to their constituencies. I have been selected the past two years and am applying for a third year (final eligibility). The experience is extremely valuable, and we are treated like royalty. The SSP schedule includes many talks by top conference speakers just to our small SSP group, and delivered in layman's language (more or less). My own rather long reports of my own experiences in 2005 and 2006 are available at www.vapcacoalition.org in the Electronic Documents Section ("Your Man at the AACR 2005, 2006"). (My impression is that most of us write considerably shorter reports, but brevity is not my long suit. The reports do describe what it feels like as a participant.)

Those interested in applying have more than a week to do so (including letter of recommendation) before the November 17 deadline. (The application takes some work and is not something to be left to the last minute.) You can read more about the program and download the online application at http://www.aacr.org/home/survivors--advocates/scientistharr;survivor-program.aspx. My impression is that about 50% of applicants are selected each year. The SSP is looking for survivors and advocates who are active in learning about their cancer (or cancer generally) and passing on the information, as well as serving as advocates for the cancer community. Our blog authors would be ideal candidates, but most of us are not nearly so active and involved.

Jim Waldenfels

Posted at 7:26AM on Nov 7th 2006 by Jim Waldenfels

3. A couple more key details: the annual conference is from April 14-18, 2007 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The SSP pays basically all expenses (travel and living expenses, etc. minus some personal expenses).

Jim

Posted at 7:26AM on Nov 7th 2006 by Jim Waldenfels