Words of Welcome

The Scientific Program Committee and its Advisory Board have taken much effort to generate a timely and stimulating program covering the broad spectrum of benign and malignant hematology. This enables you to select from a wide variety of sessions. You may wish to update your information in the Education sessions, Hematology-in-Focus and Plenary sessions, to discuss specific issues in the Meet-the-Expert sessions, and/or to follow heated discussions in the Lunch debates. Most recent data will be provided in the Clinical Trial Updates and Science-in-Progress presentations.

EHA is also pleased to offer webcasts and video on demand ('vodcasts') of many of the sessions at this year’s congress. All the Education sessions, José Carreras Lecture, Presidential Symposium, EHA-ASH Joint Symposium, and the Plenary sessions will be webcasted over the internet via the EHA website www.ehaweb.org. This exciting new educational activity is open to all EHA members and participants of the 12th Congress. To access the webcasts and vodcasts, you need your invitation code. This code can be found on the reverse side of your congress badge. Please visit the EHA Booth to learn more.

EHA is delighted about the great interest in its annual congress by the scientific community. This is documented by the largest number of abstracts ever received. These data will be presented in oral and poster sessions and the 6 best abstracts have been selected for presentation in the Presidential Symposium.

The José Carreras lecture will be delivered by Rogier Bertina and the joint EHA-ASH Symposium will focus on stem cell banking. In addition, Super Thursday will run the Satellite Symposia that will cover the latest results obtained by innovative treatments.

Besides engaging in the scientific discussions and education activities you may wish to enjoy the many cultural attractions of Vienna and visit some of the numerous museums. A particular favorite may be the Museums Quartier with the most comprehensive exhibition of artists of the Jugendstil Epoch including such giants as Schiele and Klimt. Alternatively, you could visit exhibitions of Italian Renaissance or Flemish artists. For those looking for something really extraordinary, a visit to the Josephinum that displays a collection of historic anatomical wax preparations which should be worthwhile.

Another attractive choice is immersion in Vienna’s rich musical scene and to visit one or more of the daily performances either in opera houses or music halls. The most appealing event, which you definitely should not miss, is this year’s EHA social event in the Konzerthaus on Saturday, June 9, which covers a short welcome cocktail and an attractive performance by members of the Viennese Philharmonic Orchestra and the Soprano Diana Damrau. Please make your booking, if possible in advance, for only € 15 per ticket.

Looking at all these options makes us confident that you will benefit from the rich scientific and education program, from ensuing discussions with colleagues and friends and that you will sense the excitement created by the fascinating developments in hematology. We also hope that you will establish new and strengthen old friendships with your colleagues and that you will enjoy the many attractions of Vienna.

Prof. Dr. Heinz Ludwig Congress President Chair

Prof. Dr. Irene Roberts Scientific Program Committee

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