Among people in attendance at my presentation at the ATA Science Council conference was Marion Hutchins, Associate Manager of the HYRS and ECO programs for Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions. When Marion told me about the exciting Science in the Cinema events they are hosting, I asked her to send me the details so that I could share them with you.

Marion writes:

Do you like free movies, popcorn, and learning some new science while enjoying a night out?

If so, please join us at our upcoming Science in the Cinema events in Calgary and Edmonton. Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions (AIHS) sponsors Science in the Cinema with the aim of providing a venue for the general public to discuss a topic related to the health and biomedical sciences in a relaxed and non-technical format. Our next event will take place in Calgary on Thursday, December 2, 2010 from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. We’ll be screening the Hollywood blockbuster Extraordinary Measures, starring Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser, which deals with taking a drug from the lab to the patient.

At every event, we have a medical expert in attendance to introduce the movie and engage in a discussion, and Q&A with the audience following the film. Our speaker for Extraordinary Measures will be Dr. Rachel Syme, Operations Leader for the Alberta Clinical Cancer Research Unit. “If you’ve ever wondered how a drug gets from the lab where it is discovered to the consumer, this is an event you should attend,” says Dr. Syme. “Everyone has benefited from a clinical trial, even if they aren’t aware of it – think of every over-the-counter drug and prescription medication you have taken. Many of these drugs are available because they went through clinical trials. Understanding the process helps us appreciate what is involved in getting a new, potentially life-saving drug, to the consumer.”

It’s sure to be an entertaining and engaging evening with lots of room for discussion – we hope you can make it!

For information on other upcoming events, please visit www.ahfmr.ab.ca/sitc
or www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Science-in-the-Cinema/160432583998160