Sympsoium 2009

On Friday I met up with Jeni at the Omni Hotel in Washington DC, the site of our upcomming symposium.  It is absolutely gorgeous and situated 1.5 blocks from the metro stop.  The hotel has a beautiful outdoor pool, lovely grounds to wander around and has bicyles available for guests.  The zoo is a few blocks away and as with most Washington Cultural Sites there is no admission charge.

Jeni was brimming with excitement as she was meeting with many on the hill paving the way for our visit on Advocacy Day.  She had quite the busy schedule while in DC but I am sure when she comes up for air she will tell you all about her work ont the hill and how much your advocacy day attendeance will mean to getting this legislation passed.

We have a full agenda planned for all three days and there is sure to be something for everyone.  We have leading experts from many areas and they are excited about the opportunity to share information with you as well as answer your questions regarding treatment options and latest advances in the field of mesothelioma research.

Support groups for those that have lost loved ones as well as for caregivers and mesothelioma patients will begin on Friday.  We will have a lovely ceremony to honor those who have lost their lives to this disease.  We will have an area where you can gather and socialize with old friends as well a make new ones in the mesothelioma community.

Friday will also have our first hot topics in mesothelioma roundatable discussion.  We will seat a variety of discliplines and will have an open forum to generate discussion and disceminate information that we hope will make your lives more manageable.

The Gala Dinner will take place on Friday evening a wonderful evening event to celebrate the work we have done as well as an opportunity to come together as a community and share a meal and pleasant conversation. It is an opportunity to “break break” and cement bonds with those that you have met in the past or are just recently acquainted with.

Saturday will be our more traditional science day where we have surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and an immunologist present to you the latest advances in the treatment of mesothelioma.  We will also discuss some of the exciting new national as well as multi national trials that are available to mesothelioma patients.

Hope to see you there,

~Mary Hesdorffer, NP