More than 4,000 people attending the 35th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Atlanta in May enthusiastically stood to cheer José Carreras. The tenor performed to benefit ASCO and the Friends. The concert was a “first” for ASCO, which has created a foundation to further its educational and research programs.

Mr. Carreras was accompanied by the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Mr. David Giminez, Carreras’ nephew. Carreras performed songs including Marechiare and L’ultima canzone and ‘A vuccella by Tosti, Il lamento di Federico by Cilea as well as works by Gastaldon, Rodrigo, Lara and Broadway tunes by Kern and Rodgers and Hammerstein. The orchestra presented works by Mascagni and others.

Ortho Biotech, the large pharmaceutical company that previously contributed to Carreras’ concert at the American Society of Hematology meeting, was the charter sponsor for this concert. The generous support of Ortho Biotech has for the second time meant a substantial contribution to the Friends. The support of the corporate sector at these professional meetings provides beautiful music for Carreras fans as well as major funding to assist in the goals of both the Friends and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

THANK YOU ORTHO BIOTECH.