For many years, the Mayo Clinic Division of Hematology has offered patients and family members conferences and workshops on specific blood cancers. The success of these meetings and the need for a broad based discussion of not only disease specific information but also many of the topics, which go “un-discussed”, is why I am contacting you. It is with tremendous enthusiasm that my colleagues and I wish to share with you the details of our unique upcoming national patient symposium for patients and family members living with blood cancers. Living with a Blood Cancer: A Comprehensive Patient Centered Symposium will be held at The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers on May 2-4, 2008. We have been fortunate to attract some stellar faculty including leaders in the blood cancers. Additionally we have nationally recognized speakers on nutrition, alternative therapies, and intimacy issues, advocacy, legal and financial challenges as well as a Keynote Address from the NCI Director on cancer survivorship. My colleagues and I think it a natural to try to work with foundations, and most specifically the ASG, as its mission is similar to ours. I hope that after you review the details of this meeting (course brochure and website) that you and your organization will agree that this is a phenomenal opportunity for patients with blood cancers and help us market this symposium. My colleagues and I would of course welcome all interested individuals and foundations at the meeting as we hope this meeting will help to enhance the sense of community amongst these patients. I look forward to your reply and speaking to you more about this national event!