Our Thanks to Speakers, Presenters & Delegates

7th National Summit on Community Cancer Control, June 11 to 13, 2009
A Huge Success

We couldn’t have done it without your support and involvement! Our sincere thanks to the Summit presenters, marquee speakers, participants, funders, exhibitors, steering and organizing committee members!

More than 400 delegates attended the 7th National Summit in Prince George, B.C. from eight provinces and territories in Canada as well as from the U.S. – a record number for the national event, which is sponsored every two or three years by the Canadian Association of Provincial Cancer Agencies.

Cathy Ulrich, President and CEO of Northern Health was pleased that Northern Health was able to host this stimulating and worthwhile conference. “The Summit focus on building at the community level, while also learning from the global context resonated with most of the participants. We hope that the delegates learned as much during the conference as we did and found opportunity to enjoy all that Northern BC has to offer,” states Ulrich.

Dr. Ronald Chapman, Executive Director, Northern Cancer Control Strategy, Northern Health, and Dan Le, Special Project Manager from Northern Health, managed the Summit organizing team. “I believe we delivered a world class event in Prince George,” says Dr. Chapman. “A well respected researcher, who was one of our speakers, and who has attended many conferences around the world, indicated this was one of the two best conferences she has attended.”

“Many delegates told me that the atmosphere at the conference was relaxing, friendly, and that they were able to enjoy networking with other colleagues,” continues Dr. Chapman. “It has put Prince George on the map and helped to create awareness of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy in Canada.

It was also the first time that all the pharmaceutical companies in B.C. participated in an event in Prince George, providing educational funding for this substantial northern B.C. meeting. In summary, the Summit was a great success.”

Dr. Susan O’Reilly, Vice President, Cancer Care, BC Cancer Agency, co-emceed the Summit, with Dr. Chapman. “The combined BC Cancer Agency Professional Education Day and the 7th National Summit was an outstanding success for all those involved in organizing the meeting or presenting, and all those in attendance,” says Dr. O’Reilly.

Ninety specialists made presentations. Professionals from every discipline participated in the workshops, panel discussions and lectures – nurses, nutritionists, paediatric oncologists, GP’s, medical oncologists, radiation therapists and oncologists, psychosocial specialists, dentists, researchers, pathologists, social workers, scientists and administrators. There were significant opportunities for networking, making contacts, exchanging experiences and knowledge.

“The quality of the presentations, the opportunities to interact with colleagues from across Canada and the superb plenary sessions all contributed to an exceptional few days of learning and sharing both knowledge and companionship,” Dr. O’Reilly continues. “The welcome was enthusiastic and warm from our Northern Health hosts, as well as from Initiatives Prince George, UNBC and The Research Universities Council of British Columbia, plus dozens of local businesses which supported the full, three-day meeting with complimentary products and services.”

Keynote and marquee speakers included Stephen Lewis, Dr. Richard Heinzl, Dr. Tony Fields, Cathy Ulrich and Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, who gave the Terry Fox Lecture as the 2009 Award recipient.

Judith Fox-Alder, Terry’s sister, attended and spoke at the Friday evening Terry Fox Award ceremony. She spoke eloquently about her brother’s wish to allocate funds raised through his Foundation to the most deserving and promising cancer research, control and care programs. Dr. Nadine Caron, made the Award presentation to Dr. Sutcliffe on behalf of the BC Medical Association, remarking how privileged she felt to meet Judith Fox-Alder in person, and to participate in celebrating Dr. Sutcliffe’s remarkable achievements and contributions to the oncology field throughout his career.

“Terry Fox's contribution to mankind has gone far beyond his lifetime. The Terry Fox Award is recognition of commitment and achievement to cancer control within a ‘professional’ lifetime. I am proud and honored to be associated with prior awardees and with the enduring legacy that this award represents,” shared Dr. Sutcliffe.

Once again, our thanks to all who helped to make this meeting so meaningful for the delegates. Summit Feedback Survey results have been tabulated and summarized, and are available in the attached PDF file. Your comments about the June 2009 Summit and your recommendations for future national meetings are more than welcome – please send to Sarah.Capstick@northernhealth.ca.