AACR Annual Meeting 2012: Photos and Other Additional Material

(To go back to the main stories on the AACR Annual Meeting 2012, click here)

This web page contains addition AACR news and coverage related to what you can see and do in the Chicago area while at the annual meeting. To go straight to the photos and sightseeing suggestions, click here.)

AACR expressesconcerns with President Obama's FY2013 budget

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) expressed fears in mid-Februarythat the president's recent proposal to freeze funding for the NationalInstitutes of Health (NIH) in fiscal year 2013 will slow the rate of progressagainst cancer. As such, the AACR is calling upon the president and the U.S.Congress to provide a $2 billion increase to $33 billion.

For the past decade, the NIH budget has remained essentiallyflat, the AACR notes, and because of the rate of biomedical inflation has alsolost approximately $5.5 billion in purchasing power since 2003. If enacted, theorganization says, the president's request would "continue the downward trendthat is putting lifesaving research at risk, and jeopardize the nation'slongstanding position of global leadership in science and technology."

"The potential for continued flat funding could not come ata worse time because the opportunities for turning our growing scientificknowledge into effective strategies for the treatment and prevention of cancerhave never been greater," said AACR's president, Dr. Judy E. Garber, who isdirector of the Center for Cancer Genetics and Prevention at Dana-Farber CancerInstitute and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

"This is a defining moment in cancer research; tremendousprogress has been made in our understanding of cancer and its vulnerabilities,"Garber added. "We must capitalize on these discoveries and transform treatmentfor cancer patients everywhere. In addition, the value of cancer research andbiomedical research to the economic health and well-being of this nation cannotbe overestimated."

The budget request seems to undermine the president's statedcommitment to scientific progress and innovation, AACR said, as emphasized inhis recent State of the Union Address when he noted, "Today, the discoveriestaking place in our federally-financed labs and universities could lead to newtreatments that kill cancer cells but leave healthy ones untouched."

"We are grateful for President Obama's longstanding supportfor cancer research, but the fiscal year 2013 budget request is extremelyconcerning," said Dr. Margaret Foti, CEO of the AACR. "If we are going tocontinue to make significant progress, it will require a renewed commitment onthe parts of President Obama and Congress to provide the NIH and NationalCancer Institute with sustained funding increases."

AACR journal receivesprestigious 2011 PROSE Award

PHILADELPHIA—The American Association for Cancer Research'snewest journal, Cancer Discovery, inFebruary received a 2011 American Publishers Award for Professional andScholarly Excellence (PROSE Award), in the category of "Best New Journal inScience, Technology and Medicine."

The Professional and Scholarly Publishing (PSP) Division ofthe Association of American Publishers presented more than 45 PROSE awards at aspecial awards luncheon, which was held recently during the PSP AnnualConference in Washington, D.C.

"All of us who are involved with the publishing of Cancer Discovery are extremely pleasedto receive such an esteemed award," said the journal's publisher, DianeScott-Lichter. "Cancer Discoverycaptures the most significant work in cancer research and provides a uniqueforum to communicate and inspire new thinking in the field."

Cancer Discovery launched at the AACR Annual Meeting2011 and is the seventh journal published by the AACR. It provides readers withpeer-reviewed articles describing major advances in basic, translational,clinical and epidemiological research.

AACR supports WorldCancer Day

PHILADELPHIA—The American Association for Cancer Research(AACR) expressed its support of World Cancer Day on Feb. 4—as well asencouraging AACR members to support it as well—and as part of that alsosupported the efforts of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) tobring "the looming world cancer crisis to the forefront by urging the public,government leaders and health policy makers to take proactive steps in theglobal fight against cancer."

The 2012 World Cancer Day initiative for this year followedthe theme "Together it is Possible," raising public awareness through educationand encouragement of healthy lifestyle choices in an effort to reduce cancerrisk.

"World Cancer Day is a reminder that we must take action andwork together to decrease the global burden of cancer," said Dr. Margaret Foti,CEO of the AACR. "The AACR has had a long-standing focus on cancer preventionresearch. We believe that known prevention strategies offer long-term potentialfor lowering cancer incidences and mortality and we urge everyone to takeaction."

Dr. David G. Nathanreceives ASH lifetime achievement award

PHILADELPHIA—The AACR in late January publicly congratulatedDr. David G. Nathan, a member of the AACR Foundation's board of trustees, onreceiving the 2011 Wallace H. Coulter Award for Lifetime Achievement inHematology from the American Society of Hematology (ASH).

This award is the ASH's highest honor and is named for aprolific inventor and entrepreneur who made important contributions tohematology and to the ASH. The award is presented to someone who hasdemonstrated a lasting commitment to the field of hematology throughoutstanding contributions to education, research and practice.

"David Nathan is a true leader in the field of hematologyresearch, and we are pleased that he has been awarded this distinguished honor.His visionary leadership will continue to move the field forward for thebenefit of patients not only with hematologic diseases, but also all types ofcancer," said Dr. Margaret Foti, CEO of the AACR.

Nathan is president emeritus of the Dana-Farber CancerInstitute and the Robert A. Stranahan distinguished professor of pediatrics atHarvard Medical School as well as a Harvard professor of medicine. Throughoutthe course of his nearly 50-year career, he has made numerous advances inmedicine, including the development of the first prenatal diagnostic test forthalassemia and sickle cell anemia and the introduction of hydroxyurea for theamelioration of sickle cell anemia.

PHOTOS AND CHICAGO AREA INFORMATION

Chicago's Historic Water Tower, located on the stretch of MichiganAvenue known as the Magnificent Mile. Located nearby is 74-story Water TowerPlace, the eighth-tallest building in Chicago, which not only contains the Ritz-Carltonhotel, luxury condominiums and office space but also sits atop a block-longbase containing a several-story high atrium-style retail mall that fronts onthe Magnificent Mile.

CREDIT: Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau

One way to enjoy your visit to the city and get aneducational experience and eye candy at the same time is to take one of thearchitectural boat tours along the Chicago River, as pictured above.

CREDIT: Choose Chicago

Chicago's Field Museum is—among other natural, historicaland artistic wonders housed there—home of Sue, the largest completeTyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever discovered.

CREDIT: City of Chicago

A view from Oak Street Beach of the John Hancock Center, oneof Chicago's most recognizable buildings and a landmark at one end of thecity's famous "Magnificent Mile." The John Hancock building is 100 stories tall, and on the 94th floor is an observatory from which visitors can view Lake Michigan and the city, as well as the LavazzaEspression Café, where you can enjoy coffee, wine and other beverages. One floor above that is a restaurant called The Signature Room at the 95th.

CREDIT: Choose Chicago

Chicago's huge McCormick Place convention center will hostthe AACR Annual Meeting 2012. Pictured here is the entrance to McCormick PlaceSouth.

CREDIT: Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau

Among the most eye-catching scenic options at Millennium Parkis the giant, metallic, bean-shaped Cloud Gate Sculpture that reflects both theskyline and passers-by. Millennium Park opened officially in 2004, some four years behind schedule.It is located in the Loop area of Chicago and had been planned originally to celebrate the new millennium, hence its originally planned opening date of 2000. Millennium Park is located along the Lake Michigan shoreline in an area that covers a 24.5-acre section of northwestern Grant Park.

CREDIT: City of Chicago

The Museum of Science and Industry is located in Jackson Park, in the Hyde Park neighborhood adjacent to Lake Michigan on Chicago's South Side. It is reportedly the largestscience museum in the Western Hemisphere and was the site of the 1893 World'sColumbian Exposition.The museum is home to more than 35,000 artifacts and nearly 14 acres of hands-onexperiences designed to spark scientific inquiry and creativity.

CREDIT: City of Chicago

Featuring rides, dining, shopping and other attractions,Navy Pier is one of many Chicago attractions along the shore of Lake Michigan and has been open to the public since 1995. All told, Navy Pier reportedly offers 50 acres of parks, promenades, gardens, shops, eateries and attractions, including a 15-story tall Ferris wheel.

CREDIT: Cesar Russ Photography

The John G. Shedd Aquarium is reportedly the largest indoormarine mammal facility in the world. It offers several freshwater and saltwater exhibits with themes ranging from the Amazon to the Caribbean and is even home to some Beluga whales.

CREDIT: Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau

(To go back to the main stories on the AACR Annual Meeting 2012, click here)