On March 24, 2020, ASCO issued the following statement:
ASCO’s primary concern is the health and safety of the global oncology community and the patients we serve. As public health safety measures related to COVID-19 extend, the ASCO Board has concluded that the Annual Meeting, scheduled for May 29 to June 2 in Chicago, cannot occur in person as planned.
Our mission is as important as ever. That is why we still intend to deliver the latest cancer science to the global community during the Annual Meeting timeframe using a virtual format that respects the contributions of the authors and the work of the Scientific Program Committee. In addition, abstracts will be published online and in the Journal of Clinical Oncology on our usual schedule. ASCO’s educational program will not take place during this timeframe, and we are exploring opportunities for the future.
We understand that many members and Annual Meeting participants are wondering about our specific plans and hope you understand that we are currently working to resolve the large number of operational details this change in plans creates. Information on the format, dates, specific content, registration, refunds, and many other details will be available in the coming weeks and posted on am.asco.org.
While we recognize that our face-to-face meeting in Chicago is ideal for sharing the best science and optimal approaches to patient care, we will unite as a global community to meet these unprecedented challenges and address the acute clinical care issues.
Please see our Frequently Asked Questions page at meetings.ASCO.org, which will be updated regularly with additional details, and follow @ASCO on Twitter for real-time updates. Should you have any questions, please contact us at meetings@asco.org.
ASCO has also compiled a list of COVID-19 resources and will continue to update the list as new information becomes available. Visit asco.org/asco-coronavirus-information.
