High Plains, Great West, and California Divisions Attend Istanbul ACSU

On March 25-28, 2007, 32 scholars from 16 countries assembled in Istanbul, Turkey, to attend the American Cancer Society University (ACSU), a course designed to increase cancer control capacity in low- and middle-income countries. Scholars from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East engaged in interactive and group activities to enhance their expertise in program and strategic planning, media relations, needs assessment, and collaboration. The Istanbul ACSU was held in collaboration with the Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC), a partnership established in 1996 between the US National Cancer Institute and the Ministries of Health of Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority (Gaza and the West Bank), and Turkey to support cancer control activities. Dr. Michael Silbermann, executive director of the Middle East Cancer Consortium, described ACSU Istanbul as “exceeding all expectations.” This event was sponsored by the California, High Plains and Great West Divisions. Sessions were facilitated by Society volunteers from the sponsoring Divisions, including Deborah Barnard (Great West), Jeff Kean (California), and Lila Johnson (High Plains). Other Society attendees included David Veneziano, chief executive officer of the California Division, and Ann Marie Newman, associate vice president for Diversity at the High Plains Division.