Since 2004, the International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma (organized by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation) has become the annual destination for mesothelioma patients, their families, caregivers, clinicians, scientists, and others interested in making a difference for this community. Above all, at this conference, attendees learn about mesothelioma science and its advances directly from researchers and clinicians conducting the studies.
Face-to face with experts
Part of the appeal of the Symposium is this direct and personal access to the medical community with expertise in mesothelioma. Typically, a patient would have to make appointments, deal with insurance issues, and travel across country, just to meet with two or three such experts. At the Symposium, they get to be in the same room with over 30 experts.
“Often questions and discussions spill out from the session floor into private conversations on the side-lines,” said Maja Belamaric, the Meso Foundation’s director of communications.
“And that’s really the point of this event. We strive to facilitate direct lines of communications between physicians and patients,” she added.
Forging strong friendships
Meeting members of the medical community is not the only perk of this unique event. In fact, patients and their families often remark that a mesothelioma diagnosis is not only a frightful time, but also a very isolating time; therefore meeting others confronting similar challenges can be very cathartic.
Arguably, it is these very connections between people that bring attendees back year after year. Many friendships have seen their start at the Symposium before growing beyond this event and beyond this disease.
“I’ve known families who, after meeting here, ended up vacationing together. I also know of two people who met here one year and later married.”
The International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma (an event organized by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation) is a conference for the entire mesothelioma community. It will take place on March 25-27, 2019, in Bethesda, MD. Information and agenda are available at www.curemeso.org/symposium.
