After careful consideration by the Kidney Cancer Association’s leadership, Board of Directors, and physician leaders, we regretfully have decided to cancel the Kidney Cancer Associations’ Fifteenth European International Kidney Cancer Symposium (EIKCS) scheduled for April 24-25, 2020 in Antwerp, Belgium.
This was a difficult decision because EIKCS represents a critical part of our mission to be a global community leading change through research and education. The symposium in Europe is always an opportunity to maintain a dynamic scientific dialogue about the future of kidney cancer research and treatment as well as a time to reconnect with colleagues from around the world.
However, as an organization in service of supporting health, we feel cancelling is the most prudent and responsible course of action due to rapidly growing concerns over the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The health and safety of our friends in the kidney cancer community is our top priority.
After closely monitoring COVID-19 through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, Belgium’s local public health agency, and consulting with our partners, many of whose institutions or organizations have already advised limited travel, it was clear that moving forward with EIKCS was not in the best interest of our registrants, speakers, or sponsors.
We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your tremendous support and understanding. We are truly grateful to the many people who gave their time and expertise to counsel us as we made this decision. We also thank our staff and volunteer Scientific Program Committee – truly expert physician leaders – who gave their valuable time in helping prepare for EIKCS as well as our sponsors for supporting our efforts. We recognize that this is no small undertaking.
We appreciate everyone’s commitment and flexibility and look forward to seeing you in Miami, Florida in the fall.
With best wishes for your health and safety,
