It is my pleasure to invite you to New York City, “The Big Apple”, for the 9th International Primary Hyperoxaluria Workshop to be held at the New York Hilton on August 28 –  29. Through support from the Oxalosis and Hyperoxaluria Foundation (OHF), the meeting will be part of the non-profit Foundation Symposia to be held in conjunction with the 15th Congress of the International Pediatric Nephrology Association (www.IPNA2010.org). This venture with IPNA will offer a great opportunity for pediatric nephrologists to learn more about PH, particularly its diagnosis and treatment, and to become familiar with current research on the disease. Pediatric nephrologists and other investigators participating in the Workshop will conversely be able to participate in the IPNA meeting and take advantage of what it has to offer. A session devoted to oxalosis has tentatively been scheduled for August 30 as part of the IPNA program.

New York is one of the great cities of the world with a wide array of attractions to suit all tastes. Such sites include plays and musicals on Broadway, a range of outstanding museums and art galleries, an endless variety of restaurants that cater to all tastes and budgets, and numerous world-renowned landmarks. So allow ample time in your itinerary to enjoy these amenities. A more complete listing of New York’s many attractions can be found at the IPNA website. Most of you travelling from overseas will not require a visa, but if you have any doubts you can check on the IPNA website for more information on visa requirements. The IPNA has obtained discounted accommodation for staying at the Hilton, which you can take advantage of by booking through the IPNA website. Alternate accommodation may be found by checking such websites as www.booking.com/New-York, www.expedia.com/Midtown-NewYork-Hotels, www.hotels.com. You will avoid possible frustrations and potentially steep prices if you book early.

The program for the Workshop is in development and will be dictated by the current research activities of prospective attendees. If you wish to participate with an oral or poster presentation, either submit an abstract or Email rholmes@wfubmc.edu with the topic(s) you wish to present. The program will be finalized in May after the call for abstracts concludes on May 1. As the Patient Days have proven to be valuable resources for patients wishing to learn more about their disease, one will be held on Saturday, August 28. Patients can register for this event at www.ohf.org.

We hope to see you in New York so that we can continue to piece together the intricacies of this disease and provide improved diagnoses and treatments for patients.