Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Say it Ain't So Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Why are Israeli doctors being deliberately excluded from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Conference held in Egypt? Did Susan G. Koman for the Cure, the world's largest breast cancer advocacy organization enable this act of anti-Semitic exclusion?

According to INN, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure conference on breast cancer awareness, hosted in Egypt has been touted by international news networks as an example of “unprecedented cooperation” in the region.

However, Israeli doctors were told at the last minute that their invitations to participate had been rescinded.

Ignoring the deliberate exclusion of Israel, Egyptian Doctor Mohammed Shaalan claimed “The week's events are a demonstration of the cooperation between countries, governments, civil society, advocates, survivors, and the global community as a whole... It shows that breast cancer has no boundaries and reveals the beauty of the world's unity in its fight against breast cancer."

Apparently the "world's unity" doesn't extend to Israel, the worlds' only Jewish state. Israel is at the cutting age of cancer research, with innovations in both diagnosis and treatment, with researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot developing a non-invasive way of identifying breast tumors using magnetic resonance imaging. And yet Israeli doctors were specfically excluded from a conference meant to enhance regional cooperation, and a well respected American organization faciliated this exclusion.

“In the midst of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this collaboration in Alexandria begins a week of listening, learning, sharing…and breaking the silence,” said Hala Moddelmog, president and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Its time to break the silence about anti-Semitism. Give Susan G. Komen a call 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or send them an email http://ww5.komen.org/Contact.aspx. Let them know how you feel.

2 comments:

  1. I've just received an email from the Susan G. Komen Organization:

    I would like to thank you for contacting us about breast cancer awareness events that advocates from across the United States and Middle East are attending in Egypt October 21-27. There have been reports that some of the invited participants would not be allowed to attend these events. Susan G. Komen for the Cure has now received clarification that all are invited to fully participate in events to bring breast cancer to the forefront of public discussion in the Middle East. Susan G. Komen for the Cure remains steadfast in our mission to save lives and end breast cancer forever everywhere.



    Sincerely,



    Nancy G. Brinker

    Founder

    Susan G. Komen for the Cure

    ReplyDelete
  2. http://www.komen.org/KomenNewsArticle.aspx?id=6442451409

    Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Pleased to Announce Egyptian Events to Welcome All Advocates, Including those from Israel

    Statement by Nancy Goodman Brinker, Founder, Susan G. Komen for the Cure


    “Breast cancer advocates from the United States and across the Middle East are meeting in Egypt from October 21-27 for breast cancer awareness events. There have been reports that some of the invited participants would not be allowed to attend these events. Susan G. Komen for the Cure has now received confirmation that all advocates, regardless of their country of origin, are invited to fully participate in events to bring breast cancer to the forefront of public discussion in the Middle East.


    After we received the initial report on the situation, we launched a diplomatic effort to ensure they would be able to participate. I am pleased to report that our efforts led to confirmation that all advocates would be welcome to participate in the events."

    ReplyDelete