December 16, 2005

www.skcc.org

SKCC President and CEO Honored in China
Albert Deisseroth was selected as President of the International Society of Cancer Gene and Cell Therapy at the Society's meeting in Shenzheng, Peoples Republic of China. The mission of the society is to facilitate the assembly of international efforts for the development of new approaches to the treatment of cancer that are more effective and less toxic through targeting the cancer cell and its tissues. Since its founding, the Society's meetings have coincided in the establishment of Society's of Gene Therapy in Singapore, Britain, and Peoples Republic of China. The recent meeting in China was attended by over 400 delegates and was devoted to the disussion of the first governmentally approved treatment for cancer (in PRC). Next year's meeting will take place in Tokyo, Japan. Through the efforts of this society, scientists and clinicians committed to new directions in cancer treatment can transcend political and geographic boundaries to find solutions to world health problems associated with cancer.

Dr. Deisseroth Represents the SKCC in Taiwan
Dr. Albert Deisseroth was recently a key note speaker for Gobal Connect, the international organization of which UCSD, or San Diego connect is a member. Dr. Deisseroth discussed for the assembled delegates in Tapei, Taiwan on December 5, 2005 the need for the private sector to join forces with the academic institutions and world governments to formulate an effective strategy against the threat of a world wide avian influenza epidemic. Greg Horowit of UCSD Connect (or San Diego Connect), is currently the President of Global Connect. Dr. Deisseroth was engaged in meetings with governmental and industry representatives from Singpore, Taiwan (the Republic of China), PRC (the Peoples Republic of China), and the Republic of South Korea, as to strategies available for developing a vaccine to protect the world's populations from an avian flu epidemic.

10News Leadership Award
San Diego Professionals Against Cancer was presented with the 10News Leadership Award on December 15 at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center. San Diego Professionals Against Cancer is comprised of local area professionals who volunteer their time and energy to raise money to donate to local cancer-related charities, patient treatment centers, and research organizations. SDPAC's biggest fundraiser is the Festival of Beers held annually in downtown San Diego. Over the past three years, SDPAC has donated over $100,000 to the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center.

Pictured are co-founders Rachel Cano and Candace Brown, being presented the award by 10News Reporter Geni Cavitt
Click here to view presentation that aired on Channel 10

Construction Continues
Each week brings us closer to the Topping off Ceremony in March. There is constant activity at the site of the SKCC's new research center. Today cement trucks were sent in for the first time to lay the concrete for the steel structural beams for the shell of the building. Stay posted for more progress!

The Season of Giving
This holiday season, the perfect gift for someone who has it all is a donation to the SKCC made in their honor. Every gift brings us closer to finding cures for cancer. In this season of giving, please remember the goal of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center: to find cures for cancer in our lifetime. For more information on how to make a contribution, contact Sandra Scholl at 858-410-4165 or sscholl@skccfoundation.org. Click here to donate now