I'm writing you from the largest annual Oncology convention in North America - Chicago to be exact. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) holds this yearly 5-day gathering to introduce new developments in research, share empirical and anecdotal evidence about patient treatment, and basically foster an international community of HealthCare Providers who are united in the effort to identify, treat and cure cancer (attendance = over 33,000 global oncology practitioners - of all ilks).
This is about the 15th year that I have attended this conclave, and clearly it has taken on an entirely different perspective for me over the past two years. It still represents a major project for me and our company, and carries with it a level of intrigue and gravitas that is rivaled by few others that I support in my capacity. But as could be expected, how I look at the messaging, the attendees, and the potential beneficiaries of this cancer-palooza (the patients) - now carries a new dimension and tenor. All of that seriousness aside, it might be fair to say that this Show has an alternate acronym for me: IRNY (I'm going for irony here if that's not phonetically obvious).
As I walk the aisles of asco now, I'm also doing so as a consumer, not as merely a trade-show-professional observer. My disease state (Multiple Myeloma) is well represented. My past regimen and current maintenance medication (Celgene's Revlimid - lenalidomide; if anyone from Regulatory is reading this) have booths. And I seem to know way too much about a lot more of what I see being exhibited and explained all around me.
To say that The Cancer has changed my life would admittedly be a bit hyperbolic. But in fact, how I look at many things that I have been doing for years before has taken on an altered point of view. Ironically, this very work assignment is an example of said modification. It's still just another part of my job --- but now with a twist.
