We would like to take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude for your continued support for General Incorporated Association Quality of Life Foundation, Support Council of International Activities for General Medical Research.

With the relaxation of voluntary restraint on going out under the influence of the new coronavirus, we have resumed our activities, which we had previously refrained from, while taking maximum efforts to prevent infection.

In May of this year, in response to a request from an embassy that has been supporting us, we donated masks, antiseptic solutions and other infection prevention supplies via the embassy to foreign nationals who were unable to return to their home country due to the effects of the new coronavirus infection issue and were forced to stay in Japan. We took this opportunity to establish Novel Corona Fund and have also been donating infection prevention supplies to to the University of Tokyo Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, which are supporting us in our academic exchange program to train invited foreign surgical specialists, as well as other embassies. This donation of goods to the residual foreign residents of Japan was covered by NEWS 7, a programme of NHK General TV, when the programme broadcasted on the supports the Embassy of the Republic of Colombia had received.

Due to the severe impact of the new corona pandemic, we have decided not to hold Power of Elegance Charity Gala 2020, as we have done in previous years, and instead have planned to hold medical seminars and fundraising activities with auctions at the hotels and other venues that have been long-time supporters of our organization.

Since our first priority will be to ensure the safety of all participants, we will take preventive measures against the infection considering social distancing, including spacing between seats at each table.

This year’s events will be held at Hotel Grand Phenix Okushiga, where His Majesty the Emperor and his family enjoy skiing every year and Kannon Hot Springs at Shimoda, Izu, which donates “Helicopter Tour with His/Her Excellency the Ambassador to Japan” for our charity auction every year.

The proceeds from this year’s charity events will be used as the Novel Corona Fund to provide medical professionals with additional supplies such as anti-infection supplies. At the same time, it will serve as our medical exchange fund for foreign surgical specialists recommended by the Embassies of the Czech Republic and the Republic of Colombia to be invited to Japan when novel coronavirus situation calms down.

We are determined to provide all possible support to overcome this crisis, which is one of the first major hardships that modern people have ever experienced, and to help patients around the world to receive better medical care.

It is our sincere hope that you will join us in supporting the purpose of this conference and will be able to attend.

Although there is still some confusion about the lifestyle of living with novel coronavirus infection, we hope that you will take care of your own health and safety.

Hiroko Suzuki
President
General Incorporated Association Quality of Life Foundation,
Support Council of International Activities for General Medical Research