May 2003
From Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
Brain tumour experts from the MNI in Washington DC to mark Brain Tumor Action Week Canadian brain tumour experts in DC Montreal May 5, 2003 – Dr. Rolando Del Maestro, Clinical Director of the Brain Tumour Research Centre at the Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University and Mrs. Pam Del Maestro, President of the North American Brain Tumor Coalition, will be in Washington, D.C. for Brain Tumor Awareness Week (May 4-10).Brain tumour organizations from Canada and the United States will mark their decade-long, cross-border research partnership at a reception at the Canadian Embassy this evening. The event, hosted by the Canadian Embassy and the North American Brain Tumor Coalition, will be attended by brain tumor advocates and researchers from Canada and the U.S. and Members of the U.S. Congress and their staffers. The Canadian Embassy reception marks the end of the two-year tenure of Pam Del Maestro, R.N., the first Canadian to serve as Chair of the North American Brain Tumor Coalition. Mrs. Del Maestro and her husband, Rolando Del Maestro, M.D., Ph.D. founded the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada in 1982 of the Coalition member organizations is the by Ms. Del Maestro and her husband, Speakers at the reception will be Dr. Rolando Del Maestro, Clinical Director of the Brain Tumour Research Centre at the Montreal Neurological Institute, and Howard Fine, M.D., the Director of the Neuro-Oncology Branch at the National Cancer Institute. Bernie Etzinger, Embassy Counsellor and Official Spokesperson, will host the reception. The reception occurs during Brain Tumor Action Week in the United States (May 4-10, 2003). The month of October is Brain Tumor Awareness Week in Canada. The North American Brain Tumor Coalition formed a decade ago to advance brain tumor treatments and improve the quality of life for brain tumor patients. The Coalition, which now includes 13 organizations, determined that their voices should be heard by the governments of Canada and the U.S. on issues of research funding, the prompt review of new therapies for brain tumors, and appropriate payment for new treatments. The Coalition was founded on principles of cooperation and collaboration and has advanced those standards for brain tumor researchers. The Montreal Neurological Institute (www.mni.mcgill.ca) is a McGill University (www.mcgill.ca) research and teaching institute, dedicated to the study of the nervous system and neurological diseases. Since its founding in 1934 by the renowned Dr. Wilder Penfield, the MNI has helped put Canada on the international map. It is one of the world's largest institutes of its kind; MNI researchers are world leaders in biotechnology, brain imaging, cognitive neuroscience and the study and treatment of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and neuromuscular disorders. | |