EBMT

EBMT Annual Congress 2008 in Florence, Italy

Duomo of Florence

Dear EBMT members, colleagues and friends,

It is an honour for us to have been chosen to organise the 34th annual EBMT meeting, the 24th EBMT Nurses Group meeting and the 7th EBMT Data Management Group meeting in Florence from 30th March – 2nd April 2008 and we are delighted to invite you to attend. We are also extremely pleased to be organising the 2nd Patients & Family day, following the highly successful 1st Patients & Family day in Lyon earlier this year.

We are currently working on the final adjustments to the plenary sessions, workshops and educational sessions of the main Scientific Programme in order to make the meeting scientifically rich for all those attending. We have added two new categories to the transplant specific topic list for abstract submission: ‘Experimental Stem Cell Transplantation’ and ‘Immunotherapy’ in the hope that this will further stimulate and encourage new ideas. Indeed, this year a special effort is being made to increase the attendance of young scientists.

The annual congress has always reflected an accumulation of experience as part of an expanding EBMT heritage and our main aim is to maintain this standard of excellence.

A View of Florence		Sbandieratori - Flag Thrower

A careful evaluation of the emerging data in Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT); the development and support of investigational trials and an efficient diffusion of medical information continue to be exciting tasks for the EBMT and these aspects will be addressed during the 2008 EBMT Congress in Florence.

The Local Organising Committee is also well underway with the arrangements for the social programme in a city which has an exceptional cultural heritage and an abundance of choice. The meeting venue itself is conveniently situated in a historical fortress which is within walking distance from the city centre where the social events are to be held. This should enable all the attendees to easily enjoy both the meeting and this fascinating city. Florence, as the capital of Tuscany, has both wonderful historic and culinary traditions: The Sbandieratori or flag throwers in historical costume will perform at the Welcome Reception and the Gala Dinner is to be held at the prestigious Palazzo Corsini located on the river Arno close to the historic bridge, the Ponte Vecchio.

We are looking forward to hosting the meeting, to welcoming you to Florence and to sharing these delights with you.

Alberto Bosi                       
Congress President