ASCO established an advocate program that allows entry of two members of an organization for $200. This also gives the group space in a 'group' booth at the absolute entrance to the Exhibit Hall. Excellent location. However this year, 2005, it was impossible for anyone from The Annie Appleseed Project to attend the meeting Saturday, May 14 to its end. The one hour and fifteen minute CAM session was scheduled as a ticketed session on Friday, May 13. Ann Fonfa had asked to attend just this one session (or perhaps an early morning one on palliative care). ASCO denied permission. Before they had the advocate entry fee, we used to ask to enter as media/press. Since our website is visited by hundreds of thousands of people and we post current information, we do qualify. But media is not allowed in the ticketed sessions. Their responses ranged from "for certified medical professionals only" to: "Thank you for your email. I fully understand and appreciate your experience and knowledge as a patient advocate and recognize the your important role in informing and educating cancer patients, their families and caregivers. At ASCO, we would like to be fair and equitable to all advocates who attend the meeting. After receiving confirmation from the committee that oversees this particular Annual Meeting program, we cannot at this point make exceptions for one group or individual. We have made improvements to our Annual Meeting Patient Advocate Program over time, and each year, based on feedback such as yours, we re-address or recommend new changes for future meetings. But, for now, unfortunately, the policies are in place and are the same for all the advocates attending the 2005 meeting. If you'd like, I would encourage you to put your specific recommendations for future years in a letter to us and we'd be happy to use it for our meetings/decisions with our committee volunteers who oversee the program." Unfortunately the result was that although Ann was actually in Orlando at the convention center, she was only able to hand out leaflets. We just asked if this session was recorded and if we could get/buy the CD. It is doubtful and not been done in past years. Actually this may have been the first year that the information on CAM was presented as an educational session as opposed to a symposium. Aside from the fact that spending a total of one hour and fifteen minutes on a topic that is vast AND has tremendous interest from patients, it is cool that ASCO continues to offer a session on CAM. More if there are further developments. Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.