A common language is much more than a means to communicate. It's a shared culture, a way to experience the world, a unique way of interacting, expressing, and sharing. We come together each year to speak “hematology,” but this is not the only language we have in common. The Spanish-speaking (hispanohablante) community within this community is alive and kicking: se vive, se siente, el Español está presente. We may never agree on who has the best fútbol team, what to call a sweatshirt or a baseball cap, or who makes the best empanada, but with more than 600 presentations from clinicians and scientists from hispanohablante countries and thousands of attendees representing the growing Spanish-speaking population in the United States and globally, we are all aligned and proud of what this community can do to improve the lives of people living with blood disorders.
Tune in to today’s plenaries (2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Convention Center, Hall A) and catch the contributions of our colleagues from Spain in two of the studies presented: “Safety and Efficacy of Axatilimab at 3 Different Doses in Patients with Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease (AGAVE-201)” and “Results of the Phase III Randomized Iskia Trial: Isatuximab-Carfilzomib-Lenalidomide-Dexamethasone Vs Carfilzomib-Lenalidomide-Dexamethasone As Pre-Transplant Induction and Post-Transplant Consolidation in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients.”
Learn about standards of care in resource-limited settings through a study on the impact of PET-CT availability on clinical outcomes in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (Monday, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Convention Center, Halls G-H) and survival in patients with multiple myeloma (today, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Convention Center, Halls G-H).
Rejoice with the updates and adaptation of ASH Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Guidelines for Latin America in the Special Interest Session ASH Guidelines on VTE: What's New (Monday, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Convention Center, Room 28A-D). It is a great example of regional collaborations to ensure guidelines are practical and broadly applicable in settings around the world.
Whether Español is your native language or a second language; used at home, school, or work; spoken, written, or sung along to, break out your best Hola, ¿Qué tal?, Quibo, ¿Pura Vida? ¿Qué onda, wey? ¿Qué hay? — or any other way you know to say “hello”— and join the multilingual celebrations!
Dr. Perez Botero indicated no conflicts of interest (other than her immense pride in her language and cultural heritage).
