Message from the Chair of ANZSA - December 2024

As we draw to the close of 2024, it has been inspiring to witness the tireless commitment, passion and progress demonstrated by ANZSA professionals, members, and patients as we strive towards improving outcomes for sarcoma patients in Australia and New Zealand.

2024 has once again proven to be a fruitful year full of new developments in the sarcoma community, with many outstanding outcomes achieved due to the ongoing efforts of our ANZSA members working alongside patients and the community.

Your Board has been hard at work continuing the progress of clinical, education, research and advocacy into sarcoma treatment and patient care throughout the year. The Board hosted seven meetings in 2024 to review progress on current sarcoma developments and to monitor the implementation of the ANZSA 2022 – 2024 Strategic Plan. The strategic plan has continued yielding results and is on track to complete this year. Of the 41 Milestones found within the ANZSA 2022-2024 strategic plan, 37 have been completed, and only 4 are still ongoing as of the end of 2024. Next year, your board will be commencing a member and community consultation. During this process your board will be seeking your input to the strategic plan for 2025-2027, evaluating the many emerging areas in order to deliver our strategic ambitions.

Your Board continues to review the composition and effectiveness of its current Directors. At the 2024 ANZSA Annual General Meeting, the Board welcomed two new Directors to ANZSA. Dr Joanna Connor and Dr Vivek Bhadri were  elected to the Board of Directors. Congratulations to all, I look forward to working with the expanded Board including our second director from New Zealand, Joanna Connor. It was a pleasure meeting with Joanna and the New Zealand sarcoma team in Auckland recently following completion of Director induction sessions for both Joann and Vivek who participated online.

Professor Jayesh Desai and Associate Professor Marianne Phillips, longstanding board directors retired from their positions at 2024 ANZSA Annual General Meeting. They have been valuable and insightful contributors to our Board over the past fifteen years. We are deeply grateful for their contribution and wish them all the best for the future.

I would like to acknowledge the work of the 2024 Annual Scientific meeting committee for organising an insightful and educational meeting in Brisbane. This year the ANZSA meeting was held in conjunction with the 22^nd ISOLS general meeting. The collaboration with the international group, ISOLS, was well received. I thank Professor Peter Steadman for his role as President of ISOLS and ANZSA Board director, guiding and working with both ASM planning committees to provide a successful meeting.

The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) - co-chaired by Professor Angela Hong and Professor Jayesh Desai – continues to mature into an effective collaboration between sarcoma professionals in Australia and New Zealand, with four new members joining in 2024. The SAC have been working alongside colleagues to increase engagement, expand studies collaboration and steward innovative approaches. I would like to acknowledge and thank all of those involved with the ongoing development and growth of the SAC.

The Consumer Advisory Panel (CAP) have had a wonderful year under their new chair Director Sarah Cheung. The inaugural Consumer Connect event that was host alongside our Annual Scientific meeting, was a great success. I look forward to seeing the CAP continue to develop.

Thanks also to directors Jason Cain and Fiona MacLean for the respective insightful and valuable contribution to the Board over the past year.

Finally, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to ANZSA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Denise Caruso, who continues to lead with professionalism, charm, and effectiveness in advocating for and implementing many of the initiatives required by our community. Thanks also to the staff for their dedication and commitment to assisting members and patients.

I wish all a peaceful and safe festive season, and we all look forward to a wonderful 2025.

Warm regards, 

Adrian Cosenza | Chair of ANZSA