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The topic of this year's forum, "The Biology and Treatment of Primary Brain Tumors," would be addressed by the top scientists, clinicians and physicians around the world, and it focused on glioma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
John Kemshead from Somerset, England, and chairman of the foundation's Scientific Advisory Board; Roger Stupp, from Lausanne, Switzerland; Peter Dirks, from Toronto; and several other doctors and researchers from Boston, New York, California and around the rest of the country were fully in place at 8:15 a.m. Nov. 6 to begin no fewer than four intensive, four-hour forum sessions. Tracy Batchelor and Luis Parada co-chaired the Medical Scientific Sessions, while the 13 scientific participants and four scholars examined topics such as "Human Brain Tumor Cells," "Molecular Diagnostic Approaches" and "Angiogenesis as a Therapeutic Target in Glioblastoma."
In 1985, after their son, Billy Guy, who, at age 11, lost his struggle with neuroblastoma, Jennifer and George Forbeck determined that they would take action to make certain that the impact of cancer on Billy's short life would make a difference. They were focused on shortening the timetable required in taking the newest research from the clinician's table to practical patient protocols. They wanted to promote advances in the field of oncology through the efforts and cooperation of medical scientists and professionals throughout the world.
There have been 25 such forums since the inaugural event back in 1985, when Dr. Arnold Freeman -- who worked so valiantly with Billy Guy -- organized with the Forbecks the very first forum, which dealt with neuroblastoma. It was groundbreaking, and the outcomes have had the most dramatic impact on the treatment of neuroblastoma. In fact, a second forum was held immediately after the first, in which the medical scientists developed which is now the International Neuroblastoma Staging System.
"Can you imagine?" said Jennifer Forbeck. "This will be our 25th forum and the level of accomplishment and the dedication of all of the participants, just continues to grow."
Since its earliest days, the forum has remained the same. The Scientific Advisory Board determines the topics and selects the participants, and the annual meetings at Moss Creek are the major focus. Over 25 years, however, the foundation has added a Scholar Program, which offers a scholar event, based on the Moss Creek format, and is held annually in Lake Geneva, Wis. The foundation also has offered financial assistance toward the staging of ancillary oncological meetings throughout the country.
"You know, I think that the best part of this forum, apart from the outstanding participants is that we keep the same kind of format," said George Forbeck. "We gather 13 to 15 scientific participants, we offer them a small room and the materials they need, and these folks talk directly to each other. ... That absolutely allows for the interchange and exchange of ideas -- right here -- and the good news is, that it doesn't stop here."
Next year's Forum will address "Cancer Genomics." A 25th anniversary celebration is planned for September, at Lake Geneva, where the Scholar Forum will anchor the three-day event.
Nancy Wellard is the community income manager for the American Cancer Society at the Hilton Head Island office. She can be reached at 843-842-5188.
