THE FOUNDING OF THE HISTIOCYTE SOCIETY

On May 16, 1985, an historical international workshop convened in Philadelphia, initiated by Dr. Giulio D’Angio from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, and led to the foundation of the Histiocyte Society. Participants numbered 15 at this inaugural meeting; membership has subsequently grown to approximately 220 scientists, physicians and nurses. This international society has provided a forum for the exchange of information and a framework for organized activities of fundamental importance.

COMMITTED TO RESEARCH  

The Histiocyte Society is a professional medical association comprised of more than 200 physicians and scientists from around the world. Members of the organization are considered to be the leaders in understanding and treating histiocytic disorders. The Society is committed to advancing knowledge about histiocytic disorders and improving outcomes for patients through the planning, development, sponsorship and oversight of clinical research.

TRUE PARTNERS

For more than 30 years, the Histiocytosis Association, which is a separate nonprofit organization, has served as a partner, secretariat and the primary source of funding for the Histiocyte Society. The Association’s support of the Society includes:

• Organizing and managing the Society’s annual scientific and Executive Board meetings,
• Managing the overall organizational, administrative and financial operations,
• Aiding in the development of organizational guidelines and operating procedures,
• Building, developing and maintaining the organization and annual meeting websites,
• Facilitating communication between Society members and the Executive Board, and
• Building and managing the Society’s membership database.

Conducting these activities alleviates the Society’s leadership of the administrative duties associated with running a volunteer-based, nonprofit organization and allows them to focus solely on research and treatment.

The partnership is demonstrated again each year during the Association’s research funding cycle. The Society’s Scientific Committee conducts a comprehensive review of the applications for funding received by the Association. This is the first and a vital step in the overall review process and provides the basis for the Association’s Board of Trustees to select the very best applications for funding.

ADVANCING TREATMENT

Through extensive research and collaboration, the Histiocyte Society has made numerous, significant strides in the fight against histiocytic disorders. The Society has established scientific standards for histiocytic disorders that are accepted worldwide; they include:

• A common language of uniform disease classification
• Standardized diagnostic criteria
• Guidelines for patient evaluation and follow up

The Society remains dedicated to facilitating essential and innovative clinical research – developing critical knowledge and increasingly effective treatments in the pursuit of a cure.

BUILDING KNOWLEDGE