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New Foundation Launches Global Support and Partnership Program for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)
The newly formed International Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Foundation (iCMLf) has launched the Emerging Regions Support and Partnership (ERSAP) program at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). The ERSAP Preceptorship Project will commence in 2010, providing training, education and support for 30 clinicians in emerging countries each year.
The iCMLf is a charitable foundation recently established by a group of leading hematologists with a strong interest in CML. The mission of the iCMLf is to improve the outcomes for patients with CML by fostering and coordinating global clinical and research collaborations and therefore improving clinical practice and disease monitoring in CML around the world. The launch of the ERSAP preceptorship project, supporting and educating 30 clinicians in 2010 sees the first step on the journey to achieve this goal.
"The improved survival in CML directly attributable to the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors is so dramatic that these new agents must be made available to the greatest possible number of eligible patients as rapidly as possible throughout the whole world", said Professor John Goldman, Chairman of the iCMLf.
Clinicians in emerging economic regions may not have easy access to updated knowledge and skills regarding best practice for CML patients. The ERSAP project launched at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) will provide training, education and support for 30 clinicians each year. To facilitate the sharing of best practice for CML patients in emerging regions, the project will be open to hematologists from developing countries with an interest in therapy and monitoring of CML patients. The preceptorships are designed to provide one-on-one tuition and practical experience.
"Access to up to date treatment and follow-up monitoring is essential to treat CML effectively", said Jan Geissler, being a CML patient, co-founder of the global patient platform ‘CML Advocates Network’ as well as Communications Coordinator of the iCMLf. "We have been closely collaborating with CML patient representatives across the globe, and we know how challenging it can be to get access to appropriate care. As patients we very much welcome the initiative of the iCMLf to share best practice in emerging regions".
Five specialist CML centers around the globe will act as hosts for up to six visiting clinicians. The CML expert centers enrolled in 2010 include Hammersmith Hospital, London, Royal Adelaide Hospital Australia, S.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Italy, MD Anderson Cancer Centre, USA and OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, USA.
Another ERSAP Project in development is the Partnership Project. This iCMLf project will partner expert CML centers with centers in developing countries to facilitate exchange of scientists, clinicians and nurses involved in CML care, share monitoring and research, to run joint clinical trials, share protocols, and conduct joint training activities. This will provide vital support and networks for clinicians treating CML in developing countries.
The ERSAP Preceptorship Project is currently funded with an unrestricted grant from Novartis Oncology. Additional funding is currently being sought for the ERSAP Project.
Contact
iCMLf - International Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Foundation
Nicola Evans
Emerging Regions Support and Partnership Programme (ERSAP) Coordinator
nicola.evans@cml-foundation.org
Mobile +61 40699 5409
More background information
>> Download of the press release as PDF File
