American Society of Hematology Conference

I know it’s probably late for anyone to travel there, but if anyone is in New Orleans…this conference just might be for you ~ by the American Society of Hematology.

I thought you and Sickle Cell Can Kiss My A** readers might be interested in learning about some of the cutting-edge medical research directly impacting today’s patients and tomorrow’s treatment options, including research on patients with Sickle Cell Disease and H1N1, soon to be presented at the ASH 51st Annual Meeting in New Orleans, taking place Dec. 5-8, 2009.

Leading studies and topics to be presented include:

· One less defense for women in the fight against recurrent miscarriages. An increasingly common treatment for unexplained, recurrent miscarriages – a regular regimen of aspirin or other blood thinners – has been found ineffective and only puts women at undo risk, according to new research.

· Sildenafil (the medicine contained in Viagra®) found dangerous for men with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). New research demonstrates that using sildenafil (more commonly known as the medicine Viagra® and Revatio™) is not effective – or safe – for lowering high pulmonary blood pressure in patients with SCD. SCD is one of the most common genetic blood disorders affecting millions of people around the world.

· Defining the H1N1 profile: Patients with SCD at higher risk, in need of first available vaccine. H1N1 demonstrates a disproportionate incidence rate and increased risk of hospitalization among patients with SCD, according to findings from Johns Hopkins University.

· Advance Care Planning (ACP) linked to improved outcomes of patients with blood cancers. New study demonstrates the correlation between ACP and coping patterns and improved outcomes of patients with blood cancers.

We’d be thrilled if you’d be interested in sharing this late-breaking research and its treatment implications with your readers and those on the Sickle Cell Forum. If you’d like, I can also provide:

· Expert insight from study authors

· Full study abstracts and newly released research results

· Insights on the 51st Annual Meeting and background on the Society from hematologist and ASH President Dr. Nancy Berliner

· Patient points of view

For up-to-date information about the 2009 ASH annual meeting, follow ASH_Hematology on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ASH_hematology (also follow hashtag #ASH09), and please visit www.bloodthevitalconnection.org, which provides hematologist-reviewed information about common blood conditions, risk factors, preventive measures and treatment options to educate consumers on common blood conditions including:

· Anemia

· Bleeding Disorders

· Blood Clotting Disorders

· Blood Cancers

· Women’s Health Concerns