2007 Still's Disease Conference
Notes on the 6th Annual Still's Disease Conference
LAS VEGAS, Nevada, Oct. 2007 -- The 6th Annual Still's Disease conference was attended by a smaller group this past year but numbers never matter when it comes to meeting others that share the common bond of Still's disease. Living with such a rare, lonely disease leaves us starved to meet others, see old friends and to share experiences and our lives.
Some arrived on Saturday before the conference but many arrived during the day on Sunday so in the early evening we got together for our meet and greet to introduce ourselves and visit a bit before conference day. We then broke and many joined together for an informal dinner together.
On Monday, conference day we started out early and met upstairs in our usual Salon I for a continental breakfast of pastries, coffee, tea and juice and visited. We then opened the conference with a salutation from our treasurer Bob Himes at 9:30 or so. Our speakers this past year were some of the best we've ever had the privilege to have with us. Dr. Bob Sheff, M.D., the author of the book The Medical Mentor gave a riveting talk on getting the health care you deserve in today's medical system and being your own medical advocate. Bob was then followed by bio-ethicist Viki Kind speaking on medical directives and how you and your family can prepare for those ever important decisions that need to be made.
We then broke for lunch and that was followed by donations of gifts from many members so we could hold a gift drawing in order to raise proceeds for foundation operating expenses. We are a non profit foundation and operate solely on donations and the dedicated service of its board members. The drawings are always very successful and couldn't be possible without the generosity of others.
After the conference day we met for our dinner, at the hotels prime rib loft and enjoyed a very nice meal and that concluded the schedule of events.
Many stayed on a few extra days to visit and tour the town, gamble, go to the pool, spas, shows and theaters while in Las Vegas.
We anxiously await a return visit next year.
Attending the conference is truly a changing experience and recommended by all that attend. Please join us at the next one and bring the family and friends if you can.
Till soon,
Melly, your conference coordinator
Patricia (Melly) Boerner
