From March 11-13, kidney cancer organizations from around the world met in Rome, Italy to discuss shared issues and work towards solutions on a global level. We came to Rome "with our heads and our hearts open" to share our information and ideas with others, and learn from groups around the world where patients are facing similar issues with kidney cancer.

Participants from around the world included Australia, Canada, Ghana, South Africa, India, U.K, U.S, Germany, Italy, Finland along with other international leading cancer organizations such as Rare Cancers Europe and HTAi (Health Technology Assessment International) among others. A full conference report is being written. In the meantime, we invite you to stay connected with the network of kidney cancer organizations through our Member's Discussion Forum.

Congratulations to IKCC member Kidney-Onc for winning grand prize in 2011 Listserv Choice Awards, known as the Mailys.

Kidney-Onc is a listserv, an email exchange among thousands of kidney cancer patients and caregivers around the world who use the service to share information and support regarding the disease and its treatment.  Kidney-Onc is one of over 100 mailing lists of its parent group ACOR, the Association of Cancer online Resources, a member of IKCC as well.

Finalists  for the award are chosen based on the votes they receive at the website of the listserv provider company L-Soft. For the grand prize (or in this anniversary year, two grand prizes), an L-Soft jury evaluates the work each list does and chooses the list that best embodies the ideals of connecting people for communication. From the award letter from L-Soft:

"The profound impact of your list and its continuing growth as a participant in the informed patient movement -- with notable accomplishments even in the past year since your Honorable Mention Award -- are extremely impressive to L-Soft's jury. We are delighted to present the grand prize award to KIDNEY-ONC."

Senior listowner Robin Martinez has devoted countless hours to Kidney-Onc since joining in 1997. She says, "The award recognizes the Kidney-Onc listserv for connecting people to provide life-changing and indeed life-saving information and support. The credit goes to our wonderful Kidney-Onc members whose deep dedication to finding and sharing information is matched only by their support and caring for fellow patients and caregivers. I am proud to be part of all this."

"As a patient myself, I have experienced first-hand the tremendous gift of information and well-informed support at times when I needed it most. Kidney-ONC is truly a global resource for patients around the world."
Deb Maskens, Chair Kidney Cancer Canada