October 2001

"I go to Nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in tune once more." John Burroughs (1837-1921) Hi there, Last summer we continued our traditional activities by taking part in the 24th. European CF Conference in Vienna, Austria where we presented a Poster with the results of our last research, the "Sustained Improvement of Cystic Fibrosis Patients Exposed to a Dead Sea Winter Rehabilitation Camp". It was nice to meet old friends, colleagues and to make new acquaintances with which we were able to discuss new discoveries ideas and problems. A CF Medical Convention took place last May in Tel Aviv and one of the subjects discussed was the problem of Cross Infection and ways to minimise this as far as possible. Prof. G. Doring from Tubinghem University in Germany, who is one the world leaders of Cross Infection research was invited to this Convention, and gave a lecture dealing with this subject and under what conditions the Pseudomonas survives, and how to protect our selves from it. From the very outset of our activities we realised that we have to over come the problem of Cross Infection and therefore very tough measures and caution of segregation between patients have been exercised and performed. We have even conducted a research in the subject: "Lack of Transmition of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (PA) Among European Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Patients Attending Health Camps at the Dead Sea, Israel" This research was presented as a poster at the 14th. Annual North American CF Conference, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, Nov. 2000, and was published in the Pediatric Pulmonology Journal, November 2000. And the results were, and I quote: "Three weeks exposure in a group setting in health camps at the CF Center at the Dead Sea dose not enhance Pseudomonas Auroginosa transmission among CF patients" (see News Letter No. 3 August 2000) As usual, I made my European Tour and have visited some friends, colleagues and association chairmen in a number of countries and presented them our programs and plans for the coming season. Unfortunately, our world has changed, but it does not mean that we have to change our normal life style. As we should not allow those how are trying to disrupt our lives. Shell we fall into their hands? Shell we surrender? Right after the attack of World Trade Center in New York on Sep. 11 2001, Mr. R.Giuliani the Mayor of New York addressed the audience at the U.N. General Assembly as follows: "This massive attack was intended to break our spirit," "It has not done that. It has made us stronger, more determined, and more resolved." Also the P.M.of England Mr. T. Blair said some days later: "Our way of life is a great deal stronger and will last a great deal longer than the actions of fanatics who are small in number and now face a unified world against them," and he continued saying. "There is no compromise with such people. Our choice is to defeat them or be defeated by them - and defeat them we must." In other words we have to go on with our lives! Next season is around the corner and patients from Switzerland, Austria and Germany like Reto, Soren, Nadin, Imsand and many Israelis, are preparing to come to us to the CF Center at the Dead Sea and as I have informed you in one of my previous Newsletters, I am still pleased to reassure you that this particular region is unaffected and far removed from any disturbances, A true Peace Region! For your convenience, the following are the periods and dates for the coming season: No Pseudomonas 30.10.2001 - 20.11.2001 Pseudomonas 20.11.2001 - 11.12.2001 11.12.2001 - 01.01.2002 01.01.2002 - 22.01.2002 22.01.2002 - 12.02.2002 12.02.2002 - 05.03.2002 Cepacia  05.03.2002 - 26.03.2002 For Registration Click Here The Medical staff headed by Prof. A. Tal, the Physiotherapists Bat-Sheva and Yardenna, Oleg the sport trainer and I are looking forward to your arrival.

Yours sicerely,       Benjamin Pinkas

The CF Center 86930 Ein-Bokek Dead Sea, Tel/Fax 972-8-6520256 Main office 16 Shaar-Hagai St, 34554 Haifa, Tel/Fax 972-4-8243102