Perhaps this published article had missed your attention (Published: 10/19/09, 10:02 PM)– one where doctors ARE with borders.  Unfortunately, when it comes to disease, borders are not respected.  It is a travesty that intellectual minds cannot get together and work towards the goal of eradicating problems that face all mankind.  Therefore, I am republishing this article for you to see.

Israeli Docs uninvited from Komen Cancer event in Egypt: Where’s the outrage?

Org. Hosts Cancer Meet, Israelis not Welcome by Maayana Miskin  

A United States-based organization’s conference on breast cancer awareness, to be hosted in Egypt, has been touted by international news networks as an example of “unprecedented cooperation” in the region However, according to Channel 2 news, the celebration of unity may be premature, as Israeli doctors were told at the last minute that their invitations to participate had been rescinded.

The conference will be held in Alexandria, Egypt this week, under the auspices of the American group Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest breast cancer advocacy organization. It is to include meetings between leading researchers from the U.S. and several Mideast countries.

Israeli doctors were invited to the event as well, and several had planned to attend. However, on Sunday night, the doctors received brief notices telling them that they were no longer invited to the conference, by order of Egyptian Health Minister Hatem el-Gabali.

The notices did not include an explanation of Gabali’s decision.

Despite the cancellation of the Israeli presence at the event, Egyptian officials continued to praise the event as an example of regional cooperation. “The week’s events are a demonstration of the cooperation between countries, governments, civil society, advocates, survivors, and the global community as a whole,” Dr. Mohammed Shaalan of Egypt’s Breast Cancer Foundation told Reuters on Monday. “It shows that breast cancer has no boundaries and reveals the beauty of the world’s unity in its fight against breast cancer.”

AND AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE:

 

From: Kenneth Price, Ph.D.

To: BCasey@komen.org
Subject: Medical meeting in Egypt

Dear Ms. Casey,

I received an e-mail from a friend informing me that Israeli doctors have been dis-invited to your medical conference in Egypt , by order of the Egyptian Health Minister.  If this is true, this is more than an unfortunate political gesture.  It is a disgrace that a Minister from a third-world country with a backward healthcare system would rescind an invitation to Israeli doctors from a country that, albeit tiny in geographic area, is rich in brainpower, and has contributed so much to medical science in the past 60+ years.

In truth, I am puzzled that the Komen foundation would hold a medical conference in Egypt, in the first place, given the backwardness of Egypt ‘s healthcare system and the lack of any contribution to scientific or medical knowledge by Egyptian scientists or physicians.  In contrast, tiny Israel has produced thousands of medical scientists and physicians who have published numerous research articles that have advanced our knowledge in medical science (among other areas).  I’m familiar with Israel ‘s introduction decades ago of Copaxone for the treatment of MS.  I’m aware of the Israeli company, (stock symbol GIVN) that manufactures the pillcam, which allows, for the first time, the viewing of the entire gastrointestinal tract, for the assessment of GI troubles, a unique achievement in the world of medical evaluation.  Israeli breakthroughs in the evaluation and treatment of breast cancer are well known in the medical field.  For articles understandable by laypersons, I refer you to the website www.israel21c.org which you can search for relevant articles and reviews on this topic.

If it is the case that Egypt has barred Israeli participants from the Komen meeting in Egypt , I assume that you will be canceling the meeting, forthwith.  If you do not cancel the meeting, I assume you can imagine what impact your cooperation with an Egyptian boycott of Israel will have in adversely affecting your fundraising and your reputation among those who have been heretofore amongst your strongest supporters.

I look forward to hearing from you.  I shall circulate my letter and your response to my extensive e-mail list and will recommend that each recipient circulate same to everyone on his and her lists.

(He forgot to say Hadassah Hospital discovered the BRACA 1 and 2 gene that predisposes women to Breast Cancer)

 

Sincerely,

Kenneth P. Price, Ph.D.

Clinical and Forensic Psychology

3710 Rawlins St.

Suite 1370

Dallas, Texas 75219

Can you imagine that the scientists who first put forth BRACA genetic studies which gave us so much insight into further fighting breast cancer, would not be allowed to attend?

Not only is this outrageous, it is a very tragic example of how political agendas trump the health and wellness of society.