בשער לאגודה האמריקאית לחקר הסרטן | Bashaar to the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) | 23.10.23

Dear Valued Members of the American Association for Cancer Research Around the World and the Cancer Community At Large,

We write to you today as Officers of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) to express our deep concern about the atrocious events which have led to the current humanitarian crisis in the Middle East that is adversely affecting countless lives.  We are saddened by the ongoing conflict in the region and have already reached out to AACR members in Israel and Palestine extending our sincere sympathies and assistance during this time of great suffering and loss. Our hearts go out to all those who have lost loved ones or who have been otherwise impacted by the violence. 

 

As an organization dedicated to the relentless pursuit of advances in cancer research and patient care, we hold dear the belief that every individual's life is of immeasurable value. Our work is rooted in the conviction that access to quality health care and a life free from the burden of cancer are fundamental goals that must be universal. This crisis in the Middle East underscores the urgency of these values.

 

Amid the turmoil, displacement, and profound disruptions to health care systems, people in the Middle East, including cancer patients, cancer researchers, and health care professionals, are enduring unimaginable hardship. Cancer, a disease that is independent from borders, adds another layer of complexity to the struggle. Our shared commitment to progress in the science and treatment of cancer compels us to stand in solidarity with all those affected by the crisis. 

 

The AACR’s lifesaving mission transcends borders and politics. We call upon every member of the AACR and the global cancer community to consider how each of us can extend a helping hand as well as share our knowledge and experience with health care professionals in the Middle East who are battling the concurrent challenges of cancer and the crisis. Our mission is rooted in compassion and the unwavering belief that, by working together, we can make a difference in the lives of those in need.   

 

Thank you for your continued dedication to cancer research in the face of the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East.

 

Sincerely,

Philip D. Greenberg, MD, FAACR

President

 

Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc)

Chief Executive Officer