Meso Foundation went to IMIG

The International Mesothelioma Interest Group (IMIG) met in Kyoto Japan August 31st through Sept 3rd 2010 and both Kathy Wiedemer and I attended.  IMIG was founded in 1991 and conducts an international conference every two years for scientists with a special interest in mesothelioma. Many groups will hold a conference with some sessions dedicated to mesothelioma but only IMIG and the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation focus solely on malignant mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma rates continue to soar in developing countries and the scientists and clinicians are in the early stages of providing treatment as well as establishing research programs in their countries and this meeting provides them with an opportunity to develop collaborative partnerships with some of the more senior scientists and clinicians.

In 2005 the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation joined forces with IMIG and held a joint conference in Chicago, attended by the scientific and lay mesothelioma community.

This year we were proud, once again, to be sponsors of this important meeting. The conference took place over three days and much of the work discussed was by researchers whose initial work was funded through the Foundation’s peer reviewed research program.  We were proud to hear time and time again that “this work was made possible by a grant from the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation”.

As you may know our relationship with IMIG has been strong and there is much collaboration between the two organizations.  Past presidents have included members of our Scientific Advisory Board (SAB): Dr Courtney Broaddus, Dr Valerie Rusch, Dr Daniel Sterman, Dr Hedy Kindler and the newly elected Dr Steven Mutsaers. Dr Harvey Pass, who was one of the founders of the Meso Foundation, is on the Board of Directors for IMIG.  This year Dr Steven Albelda received the prestigious Wagner Award, well deserved, and of course made us proud as he also sits on our SAB. Dr Hedy Kindler had served these past four years as IMIG president and was responsible for the meeting in Kyoto.  She did a terrific job and our Japanese hosts made us feel most welcome.

~Mary Hesdorffer, NP