Rick Haas, M.D.
2021 President of CTOS
Dear sarcoma colleagues and friends.
I would like to convey all my best wishes and good health to all of you for this new year 2021 with, hopefully, new opportunities.
A quarter of a century ago, CTOS was founded as a society bringing together scientists and doctors to improve knowledge of and management of patients with sarcomas. From the very beginning it was a multidisciplinary society build on the friendships and it continues to be so today. Our first president in 1995 and 1996 was a radiation-oncologist, Herman Suit. After Brian O'Sullivan in 2000, I am happy and proud to serve as your president during 2021, being the third radiation-oncologist granted this honor.
Under the guidance of 5 very important ladies we have managed to pass through 2020 and to have our annual meeting on a virtual platform. First of all our past-president, Kirsten Sundby-Hall. I am convinced that of all 25 prior CTOS presidents, her presidency was the most difficult one. She had to take the courage to decide the annual meeting was not to take place physically but virtually. I think I speak on behalf of the entire society, to, again, express my deepest sentiments of appreciation and gratitude for all the work she has done in this difficult year. Thank you so much. Kirsten!
As soon as it became apparent that we would not convene in Boca Raton, several already arranged contract deals had to be renegotiated. Barbara Rapp did a tremendous job in guiding our society through this difficult year and exploring the best possible options for our annual meeting to take place. So, also to you, Barbara, thank you so much.
The three members of last year's scientific committee are also to be cordially thanked and appreciated for all the difficult tasks they endured. They brought our meeting to a splendid finale: Silvia Stacchiotti, Meg von Mehren and Inga Schaefer. Where would we have been without the three of you? Fantastic work and thank you again!
2021 has just begun. Let us all hope and pray that this new year, with all its new opportunities, will indeed be a "normal" year again. Let us hope that the work performed by our colleagues in virology will bring us sufficient amounts of vaccines with a high immunological response. Such that we can meet again and shake hands in Vancouver.
Finally, let us not forget to take good care of our young scientists who have started their careers, sort of, in solitude. These young people should interact with other young investigators, with their mentors and supervisors. They haven't been able to do so in the past year. Let's hope we can help, guide and train them in a more appropriate manner in the next year. They are the future of sarcoma science and patient management.
Dear friends, take good care of each other and take care of our society. I sincerely hope to see you all in the main conference room of the Vancouver Convention Centre, November 10-13 !
Stay well, stay safe, greetings,
Rick Haas, radiation-oncologist
The Netherlands Cancer Institute (Amsterdam) and the Leiden University Medical Center.