For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be got through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. -- Father Alfred D'Souza

Meetings in 2002 - Cleveland, Padua
Travel Assistance from Mercy Airlift
Defeating Depression, adapted from Milestones
Audio and Computer text
VHL in Germany, by Gerhard Alsmeier, Germany
Sigma Phi Gamma Supports VHLFA
New Alabama Chapter, by Linda D.
Triathlon -- Alice completes the Danskin Triathlon

In the U.S. . . .

There will be a Patient/Provider meeting in Cleveland, Ohio, October 11-13, 2002. This meeting will be designed for primary care physicians and families, empowering them to provide good coordinated care for VHL, knowing where to go as needed for additional information and coaching. Family members who have not attended a meeting before should enroll in "VHL 101" the morning of the first day, a great way to get to know people and become familiar with the terminology that they will hear.

In Europe . . .

There is a meeting in Germany in October (in German), in France in November (in French), and the Medical Symposium in Italy 6-9 June 2002 (English).

If you are a family member -- please come to a meeting when it is near you. Best to choose a Patient/Provider meeting in local language so that you will gain the most from the meeting.

If you are a physician -- please come to any meeting you can manage. The Cleveland meeting will offer CME credits at a low rate, to encourage you to join us.

If you are a VHL expert or research scientist -- you are welcome at any meeting, and in 2002 we would particularly like to invite you to Padua for the Symposium. This is where you will meet with your peers, and have an opportunity to network and collaborate. We need the benefit if your expertise at that meeting, where we will work to improve the screening protocol and recommendations for treatment.

As printed in the VHL Family Forum 9:3, September 2001. For permission to reprint, please contact VHL Family Alliance, editor@vhl.org. Further information is available from the VHL Family Alliance, info@vhl.org.