This conference was held on 26 November, 2011 in the Croke Park Conference Centre, Dublin from 10 am to 4 pm. It was organised by the Boyne Research Institute, Drogheda, Ireland, in association with PanCareSurFup‘s Work Package 7 (WP7), and the Irish Cancer Society. Co-sponsoring organisations were the Children‘s Medical & Research Foundation of Our Lady‘s Children‘s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, Novartis Ireland and Bristol-Myers Squibb Ireland.
The conference targeted survivors and their families and also, specialists, general practitioners, nurses and other health professionals. Registration was free. A total of 111 guests attended; about 70% were survivors and family members.
Speakers were primarily drawn from PanCareSurFup and included Lars Hjorth, Mike Hawkins, Momcilo Jankovic, Elvira van Dalen and Gill Levitt. Other speakers included Alex Brownsdon, Harry Comber, director of the Irish Cancer Registry, Michael Capra, paediatric oncologist at Our Lady‘s Children‘s Hospital, Crumlin, John McCormack, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society, and representatives from CanTeen Ireland, Barretstown Castle and ICCCPO (Gerlind Bode).
The keynote speaker was Irish MEP Nessa Childers, who reminded survivors not to even think about smoking, and to take control of their health.
A survey of those who attended showed a high level of satisfaction with the conference, the speakers and the arrangements. Most rated all elements on the survey as „Excellent“. BRI staff are currently analysing the data from the surveys. A final report will be placed on the conference website – www.ccs2011.ie. The website carries the full programme and the presentations from each speaker . Numerous photos from the event can be viewed on http://www.facebook.com/BoyneResearch, as well as on the conference website.
By Julie Byrne