Israelis may attend global breast cancer confab after all
Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 5:08PM Egypt has apparently retracted its decision not to allow Israelis to attend the 15th Annual Multidisciplinary Symposium on Breast Disease, in Alexandria, Egypt, which is sponsored Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Israel's Channel 2 reported that Egypt's Minster of Health, Hatem el-Gabali, had rescinded invitations to Israeli physicians and scientists on Sunday to attend the symposium.
This angered American Jews, who are have been strong supporters of Komen — considered the world’s largest breast cancer advocacy organization.
But on Thursday, Komen founder Nancy Goodman Brinker released this statement:
"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.
"Susan G. Komen for the Cure remains steadfast in our mission to save lives and end breast cancer forever."
Andrea Rader, Komen's director of marketing communications, told The Chronicle that Komen heard Tuesday from Israeli news reports that the invitations were rescinded. Its staff in Egypt then began using diplomatic channels to determine if the reports were true and what could be done abut it.
"Then we received assurances that all were invited," she said.
We'll post updates to YINZ/YIDZ as they come available.
