Meeting of AORTIC in Orlando, Florida US

Date: May 21st 2002

Present:

• James Holland
• Jimmie Holland
• Charles Olweny
• Chris Williams
• Carrie Hunter
• O Agboola
• Samuel Njau
• O Odujinrin
• Susan Gurney
• Silvio Monfardin
• Carola Riedner
• Funmi Olopade
• Alison Coutts

Sections:

• Overview of the meeting held in San Francisco
• Interaction with other Organizations
• Suggestions presented regarding Accra Meeting: (Date Oct.6th to 10th 2003)

Overview of the meeting held in San Francisco and a review of the activities and of the years 2001/2002 were presented by C Williams:

1. draft copy of the organization bye-law has been written, suggestion that this should be circulated before Accra meeting was made by C. Olweny and also put on the organization web site.
2. creation of RDC committee comprising of Carrie Hinder (chairperson), Barrie Adedeji and Jacinta Aniagolu and meetings have been held by the group regarding next year conference in Accra.
3. Carrie Hunter presented draft of the programme of the conference scheduled by the organization for Accra, Ghana in Oct 2003.
4. AORTIC has been incorporated as a non-profit organization and individual’s donation should be tax deductible.

Interaction with other Organizations:

1. NCI: Discussion has been held with NCI and the outcome is favorable, the NCI is willing to part sponsor the organization with regard to the forthcoming conference and possibly in future academic undertaking.
2. WHO: The Vice-President of WHO for Africa is willing to supply the names of individuals active in cancer management in Africa. The WHO may also be interested in supporting a computer network for Africa that will be accessible to the medical groups for accessing medical related information.
3. EORTIC: The organization will be interested in working with AORTIC especially in the area of clinical studies that will involve drug trials. Information given by S. Monfardini
4. Hospice Organization ( Zimbabwe): Have information on personnel with experience in oncology in Africa setting that should be co-opted into the organization.
5. Private Individuals: Having incorporated the AORTIC as a non-profit organization, private individuals should be contacted for donation, S.Gurney, J. Holland to look into this aspect.
   

Suggestions presented regarding Accra Meeting: (Date Oct.6th to 10th 2003)

1. Individuals from the six regions of the continent should be sponsored to the meeting
2. A travel company conversant with Africa to whom participants can access for the trip should organize travel plans.
3. Topics for the conference:

1. education session should be provided, area of focus should be decided e.g. Aids related malignancies, conduction of clinical research.
2. other topics on prevention ( of interest to WHO), of specific diseases e.g. bladder cancer secondary to Schis tomiasis infection, screening for cancer of the cervix.

Olu Agboola,
Recorder