AACR Annual Meeting Scientist-Survivor Program

AACR 97th Annual Meeting:

Wow — so much to write about!  I’m in Washington for the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.  As part of the Scientist-Survivor Program, I am part of a wonderful group of cancer survivors and an even more wonderful group of mentor scientists who are sharing the experience of the meeting and building partnerships.

Over the next few days, I’ll try to share our experience with you.

(This will be a bit different from my ordinary posts — more personal, less dry, a sort of on-the-spot reporting of what goes on when 17,000 people dedicated to all the aspects of scientific cancer research get together to report what they have been doing.  I’ll be updating you as we go along.)

It’s Sunday morning, very early, actually earlier than my usual wake-up time because the clock’s sprang forward last night sometime after I finally fell into bed after a very, very full day.  I’ve actually been here in Washington for two days, both beginning early in the morning and ending very late at night. 

The spirit of excitement is just huge here.  Cancer science is really at a turning point — perhaps a tipping point — as growth in what we know about the cell and its genes and proteins comes together with exploding technology that lets us get inside it and pinpoint its changes along with the computer capacity to keep track of all the information and the broadband internet capacity to share it.  A convergence of good and important things — perhaps a perfect storm!

The puzzle pieces are coming together — really flying together. We’re far beyond just looking for new drugs.  We’re looking for personalized treatments that target each individual and make a real difference in lives. 

More later on:

• The Scientist-Survivor Program
• CR Magazine (and how I got my picture on the side of a bus)
• The Awards Dinner (which was so much more than a bunch of speeches)
• What I am learning