All I can say is ASCO needs to review its 1964 Mission Statement, and amend it!! Melanoma..Jim Breitfeller

"The ASCO Annual Meeting is targeted to U.S. and international physicians, academicians, clinical researchers, and other health care professionals involved in multidisciplinary clinical cancer care. Patient advocates that represent national, not-for-profit patient advocacy organizations that provide programs, services, and support for people with cancer, attend as well"


All I can say is ASCO needs to review its 1964 Mission Statement, and amend it.


“As a Non-profit organization, ASCO is dedicated to achieving its charitable mission outline by the organization’s founders in 1964”


You are a company that makes a profit off the healthcare system and have the researchers tied to you like a union. Your membership is like the UAW.


Check out your annual report.

Annual report 2008


Since I don’t fit the mold or what you consider patient advocate, you throw me away like garbage. I am educated and have 4 patents that I coauthored. I spent over 25 years doing research.

Just because it is not in clinical Oncology you cast me aside. I have spent over three years living and breathing and fighting this disease. I know first hand as a patient. I am trying to help

others what is ASCO trying to do? The bottom line is it comes down to money, greed and prestige. What is it for your Organization? Somewhere you lost your charitable mission.

It is the Patient that needs to be educated so they can make an educated decision on the clinical trials. We have to make life threaten decisions. We cannot depend on our local Oncologist to be up on the newest cutting edge technology. We have to be our own advocate and we need access to the latest information.

I guess you can consider me a robin hood of the Melanoma world. The Patients deserve better.



Best regards,


Jim Breitfeller