greetingssacDE

Dear families, colleagues and friends,

I am very much looking forward to the tenth World Conference. This joint meeting of families and so-called 'experts' of the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) always has a very special meaning for me. My scientific studies in 2006 brought me for the first time indirectly into contact with the CdLS on a "molecular level". In 2007, I travelled to the Niagara Falls in Canada to attend the CdLS World Conference to meet patients and families for the first time. Previously, my meetings were purely scientific and without a direct involvement of the 'real experts', namely the families who face the challenge of managing a life with CdLS every day. No textbook knowledge in the world can provide this knowledge and experience, which I always gain at meetings with families. It is a great honour and pleasure to participate in this conference as well.

Together we learn from each other and only together we will be able to develop and implement projects that are for the benefit of the patients. Without the support of numerous families my work would not be possible and I thank you very much for it! I am really looking forward to the common days in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler. Of course, I am also looking forward to the exchange with my colleagues, who will come from many countries around the world. Together we will discuss our latest knowledge with the families and take new knowledge from the families with us into our institutes, clinics and laboratories. Together' is the motto of this conference and for none of my fields of activity does this word and its meaning fit better than for the Cornelia de Lange syndrome. I have the feeling of being a small part of this "COMMON", which fills me with great pride. I have known many people who read these lines for a long time. Mr Kaiser is 'Frank' and my bulletin board in the office is decorated with loving Christmas cards and photos of numerous families. 

So, before I become too much now... I am very much looking forward to the conference, numerous conversations, exchange of experiences and a simply good time together.

With cordial greetings,

Frank Kaiser
Medical advisor of
Arbeitskreis Cornelia de Lange syndrom E.v.