Were Israeli doctors excluded from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Conference because it is being 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, to be hosted in Egypt next week 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However, Israeli doctors were told at the last minute that their invitations to participate had been rescinded.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.
Its time to 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. Tell them to insist that all countries be allowed to partcipate in this conference. Let them know that future donations may depend on this.
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The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today called on the leading breast cancer awareness advocacy organization, Susan G. Komen For the Cure, to ensure that Israeli breast cancers researchers and activists are permitted to participate in regional programs it is sponsoring in Egypt this month.
According to reports in the Israeli media, a number of Israeli doctors and activists received security clearances from Egypt to participate in various workshops and conferences related to breast cancer research and advocacy, only to be notified at the last minute by Egyptian authorities that they were no longer invited.
In a letter to Hala Moddelmog, President and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the League said it found the exclusion of Israeli experts, "shocking" and "contrary to the stated purpose" of the programs, which is to promote regional cooperation and breast cancer research and awareness.
The programs, slated to take place October 21-27 in various cities in Egypt, are sponsored by the U.S.-based Susan G. Komen For the Cure under the patronage of First Lady Suzanne Mubarak.
"We find this last minute exclusion of Israeli experts shocking and contrary to the stated purpose of these programs – to promote regional cooperation to highlight breast cancer awareness, research and best treatment practices – and inimical to the ideals and goals of your organization," wrote Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.
http://www.adl.org/PresRele/IslME_62/6526_62.htm
I've just received this email from Susan G. Koman:
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
As the rest of us are "fighting for the cure" and wearing our pink ribbons, the Arab world is playing the politics of prejudiece with women's health. Its particularly offensive to exclude Israeli oncologists from an international conference on breast cancer as it is the Israelis that are leading the research! Can't the Arab world EVER put aside its anti-Israel bigotry, even when its to save the lives of their own mothers, sisters, wives and daughters?
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."
You need to check out www.komen.org/israel. It really tells the true story on what happened.
The Komen Foundation had nothing to do with this. Egypt did it.
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