2012 INTERNATIONAL KD SYMPOSIUM in Japan

[MikesMom]

I was wondering if there are any parents who are thinking about attending the next sympsoium in Japan Feb 2012??
We are in the stages of trying to arrange to attend, my son Michael has been asked to make a presentation for the Parents Sympsoium.
I would love to touch base with any parents that are planning to make the trip from Canada or the States, please let me know if anyone thinking about it.
Thanks
Pauline

[Nancy]

hi

I believe it is currently uncertain whether or not KD Symposium 2012 will still be held in Japan as planned...due to the
earthquakes/tsunami and subsequent radiation problems.

Jason and I went to the 2005 Symposium and would love to go again now that he is older....

The last statement on the website said they were consulting various experts and an announcement would be made soon

nancy

[MikesMom]

The announement was officially made on May 10, Dr. Kawasaki wants it to go ahead as planned! We had seen Dr. McCrindle on the 4th and he had told me that is was going to be a go, I talked to him about the earthquake and the radiation and the Drs on the commitee feel it will not be an issue, Kyoto is 750 kms from the nuclear plant.
How old is your son now Nancy? Michael is 16 and will be 17 before next Feb. We figure if we can do this it would be a once in a life time opportunity and Michael is so honoured to be asked to present, and thinks it would be really "cool" to have the chance to meet Dr. Kawasaki.

Did you find the one you attend too far over parents heads, or were you able to absourb some of the information?? I am hoping with 14 years under our belts that I will be able to atleast understand part, but kind of thinking even though I understand alot about KD it is still going to be very technical. What were your thoughts of the 2005 one?
Pauline

[Momcat]

Wow.......this would be interesting to go to..........plane tickets to Japan??? How much is that? I would be VERY interested in taking Paige. I'll have to check into it!

[Nancy]

hi

attending the 2005 Symposium was one of the best things we've ever done !!

I was truly hoping the 2012 Symposium would be back in the US....not sure I can manage international travel...

Meeting Dr Kawasaki is definitely a once in a lifetime treat !

Hearing KD researchers from around the globe speak was fascinating....meeting Drs Burns, Newburger, Rowley, McCrindle was extraordinary !

Jason is conflicted...he'd love to go again now that he is older...but, he might not survive the long flight...he was "airsick" all the way
to San Diego and back in '05

Good luck ! I hope you and Michael decide to attend !

nancy

[MikesMom]

after Japan the next one will be here in Canada!

[MikesMom]

Sandy that would be cool if Michael and Paige both went to Japan.
We are going to have to start a strict budget to get there!

[practicing patience]

We will definitely be at the 2013 symposium if it is held in North America, but Japan is a little bit too pricy of a trip for us. I bet it will be super, though. Do they publish presented abstracts and oral presentations, by chance? I will go check out the conference site.

[Alan]

Just an FYI, the next International Symposium is being planned for Feb 2015 in Hawaii. A Parent Symposium portion is also being planned in addition to the normal activites. I will put any updates on the forum as they become available.

[Nancy]

hi Alan

Oh dear...Jason had been hoping for a US venue for the symposium ever since we went to the San Diego one in 2005...but,
the trip from MA to Hawaii still puts it in the time/cost category of a non-US event :(

PS in thinking for a moment about 2015...just realized that Jason will be a Sophomore in college that year !

best
Nancy