president's message
In November, 2007 Dr. Larry Norton, Peg Mastrianni and I traveled to Virginia to represent BCRF at the first-ever Collaborative Summit on Breast Cancer Research, a two-day meeting aimed at defining new research funding paradigms, towards the goal of ending breast cancer.
We are united in
our shared responsibility to fund research, our shared demand that it adheres to the highest standards, and our shared responsibility to ensure that its benefits are translated to the clinic, for the patients who need it.
The meeting included leading researchers (aside from Dr. Norton, BCRF’s own Drs. Nancy Davidson, Clifford Hudis, Robert Comis, Daniel Hayes, Robert Schneider, Geoffrey Wahl and several notable others were present), advocates, funders, industry leaders and social scientists. The summit was the collective brainchild of BCRF, the Avon Foundation, the Foundation for the NIH, AACR, the ASCO Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and several other leading organizations.
Why did we spend two jam-packed days discussing breast cancer research and how to advance it with our colleagues from other groups who sometimes compete with us for funds?
We have different approaches, slightly different philosophies and programs, but we are united in our shared responsibility to fund research, our shared demand that it adheres to the highest standards, and our shared responsibility to ensure that its benefits are translated to the clinic, for the patients who need it. And we are united in our conviction that we must eradicate breast cancer as soon as possible.
All three of us came away heartened by the collective passion shown by everyone involved, and hopeful about the potential for new models and collaborations with other organizations. We all know that none of us can do this alone. We will learn from each other and build on each other’s strengths.
We are encouraged by what was discussed at the forum and we look forward to a productive and enlightened new year.
Sincerely,
Myra J. Biblowit
