<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr"><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black">Dear friends (apologies if you receive this more than once...)</span><br></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black">On May 15, 2015, we celebrate the 170th anniversary of
the founder of gerontology, a foundational figure of modern immunology, aging
and longevity science, and of modern medicine generally – Elie Metchnikoff (May
15, 1845 – July 15, 1916). For the proponents of healthy longevity and
advocates of aging research, Metchnikoff has a special significance.
Metchnikoff is of course known as a pioneering immunologist and microbiologist,
a vice director of the Pasteur Institute in Paris, and the Nobel Laureate in Physiology
or Medicine of 1908 for the discovery of phagocytosis (a major contribution to
the cellular theory of immunity). Yet, he may also be well credited as “the
father” of gerontology – the disciplinary term he coined in his book<em><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in"> Etudes On the Nature of Man</span></em>, published in 1903, which
may mark the beginning of this scientific field. </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black">To the present day, his scientific reputation has remained
high around the world. In fact, Metchnikoff can be considered a unifying
cultural symbol for many nations. Beside being a
great longevity scientist, he was also a great longevity advocate, who spoke
openly about the need to fight degenerative aging and prolong life. He can be a
great role model and inspiration, and a Nobel-Prize carrying authoritative spokesman for the longevity movement!</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black">There is a tradition to celebrate the anniversaries of
great persons (scientists, artists, writers, politicians, generals) to promote
the area of their activity and popularize their ideology. It may be hoped that,
in this year, the anniversary of Metchnikoff will serve to promote and
popularize the science and ideology of healthy life extension, including the
state level. The “Metchnikoff Day” can provide an impulse for organizing
topical meetings and conferences, a stimulus for research, and publications in
the media, dedicated to Metchnikoff’s legacy and continuation of his life work
– the study of aging and longevity. This may play a positive role not only for
the advancement and popularization of research of aging and healthy longevity,
but also for the promotion of optimism, peace and cooperation.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black">Currently events in honor of the Metchnikoff Day are being
planned in Kiev, Ukraine, on behalf of the Kiev Institute of Gerontology of the
Ukrainian Academy of Medical Sciences; St. Petersburg, Russia, on behalf of the
Gerontological Society of the Russian Academy of Sciences and I.I.
Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University; in Moscow on behalf of
the National Research Center for Preventive Medicine of the Ministry of
Healthcare of the Russian Federation, and further meetings in Moscow are
planned by several public organizations, including the Fedorov Movement, the
Russian Transhumanist Movement and the Russian Longevity Alliance; Larnaca,
Cyprus, on behalf of the ELPIs Foundation and the Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology
Institute; Oxford, UK, on behalf of the Oxford University Scientific Society
and Biogerontology Research Foundation; in Ramat Gan, Bar Ilan University,
Israel, on behalf of the Israeli Longevity Alliance and the International
Society on Aging and Disease (Israeli branch).</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black">It may be hoped that, following these examples, more events
and publications, dedicated to research of aging and longevity, will be held
around the world in honor of this day or close to it. Thus thanks to
Metchnikoff’s continuing inspiration and authority, the interest in aging and
longevity research will be increased in all the walks and segments of society.
And thanks to the increased interest and awareness, the research will intensify,
producing an improved capacity to contribute to the achievement of healthy
longevity for all.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black">There is little time left until May 15, perhaps enough to
prepare a small publication or meeting, live or online. Yet Metchnikoff’s
authority may help us promote the study of aging and longevity also in the next
year – July 15, 2016 is the 100th anniversary of Metchnikoff’s death,
which can also become an impulse toward meetings and publications, with a
greater time for preparation. The organization of several connected events in
different countries in the same day (or period) in the framework of an
international action, may produce a synergistic, mutually reinforcing effect.
Yet, of course, those are not the only days that could be used for such
an effect. An additional convenient day (or period) to conduct an international
action in support of aging and longevity research, can be October 1, 2015 – the
day officially sanctioned by the UN as the “International Day of Older Persons”
(celebrated by some parts of the longevity advocacy community as the
“International Longevity Day”). In 2013-2014, events around that day were
conducted by various longevity activists groups, public organizations and
scientific centers in tens of countries.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:rgb(99,99,99)"><a href="http://www.longevityforall.org/october-1-international-day-of-older-persons-longevity-day-2013-2014/" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(57,130,166);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">http://www.longevityforall.org/october-1-international-day-of-older-persons-longevity-day-2013-2014/</span></a></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black">Hopefully, thanks to our mutual efforts, “from above” and “from
below”, thanks to the events, organized on those and other days – the need to
promote research of aging and aging-related diseases to improve health and
longevity of the elderly population – will be recognized by all parts of
society, including the broad public, the professional and scientific community,
and decision makers, and will stimulate actions corresponding to the severity
and urgency of the problem.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:rgb(99,99,99)"><a href="http://www.longevityforall.org/the-critical-need-to-promote-research-of-aging-around-the-world/" title="http://www.longevityforall.org/the-critical-need-to-promote-research-of-aging-around-the-world/" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(57,130,166);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">http://www.longevityforall.org/the-critical-need-to-promote-research-of-aging-around-the-world/</span></a></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><strong><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in"> </span></strong></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><strong><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">Thank you for your support!</span></strong><span style="color:black"></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black">Please see also a fuller announcement, including the
description of the foundational role of Metchnikoff for the formation of modern
science of aging and longevity and a list of events that are being organized in
honor of that day (the list will be updated)</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:rgb(99,99,99)"><a href="http://www.longevityforall.org/170th-anniversary-of-elie-metchnikoff-the-founder-of-gerontology-may-15-2015/" title="http://www.longevityforall.org/170th-anniversary-of-elie-metchnikoff-the-founder-of-gerontology-may-15-2015/" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(57,130,166);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">http://www.longevityforall.org/170th-anniversary-of-elie-metchnikoff-the-founder-of-gerontology-may-15-2015/</span></a></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black">As well as a copy of this announcement</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:rgb(99,99,99)"><a href="http://www.longevityforall.org/may-15-2015-170th-anniversary-of-elie-metchnikoff-the-founder-of-gerontology-an-opportunity-to-promote-aging-and-longevity-research/" title="http://www.longevityforall.org/may-15-2015-170th-anniversary-of-elie-metchnikoff-the-founder-of-gerontology-an-opportunity-to-promote-aging-and-longevity-research/" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(57,130,166);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">http://www.longevityforall.org/may-15-2015-170th-anniversary-of-elie-metchnikoff-the-founder-of-gerontology-an-opportunity-to-promote-aging-and-longevity-research/</span></a></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black">Also in Russian</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:rgb(99,99,99)"><a href="http://www.longevityforall.org/may-15-2015-metchnikoff-day-russian/" target="_blank">http://www.longevityforall.org/may-15-2015-metchnikoff-day-russian/</a></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black">And Hebrew </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:rgb(99,99,99)"><a href="http://www.bioaging.org.il/metchnikoff-day-may-15-hebrew/" target="_blank">http://www.bioaging.org.il/metchnikoff-day-may-15-hebrew/</a></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:rgb(99,99,99)"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black">Sincerely and thankfully, </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black"> </span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black">IliaStambler, PhD</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black">OutreachCoordinator. International Society on Aging and
Disease (ISOAD)</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black">Department of Science, Technology and Society. Bar Ilan University.
Israsel</span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:ilia.stambler@gmail.com" target="_blank">ilia.stambler@gmail.com</a></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="color:black">972-3-961-4296<br>
<a href="http://isoad.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">http://isoad.org/</span></a><br>
<a href="http://www.longevityforall.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">http://www.longevityforall.org/</span></a><br>
<a href="http://www.bioaging.org.il/" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">http://www.bioaging.org.il/</span></a><br>
<a href="http://www.longevityhistory.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in">http://www.longevityhistory.com</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"> </span></p><div><br></div></div></div><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><span style="font-family:Arial"><font size="1">Ilia Stambler, PhD</font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><span style="font-family:Arial"><font size="1"><br></font></span></p>
<p><font size="1"><span style="font-family:Arial">Outreach
Coordinator. International Society on Aging and Disease - ISOAD </span><a href="http://isoad.org/" target="_blank">http://isoad.org</a></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><span style="font-family:Arial"><font size="1">Chair. Israeli
Longevity Alliance / International Longevity Alliance (Israel) - ILA<span> </span><a href="http://www.bioaging.org.il/" target="_blank">http://www.bioaging.org.il</a></font></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><span style="font-family:Arial"><font size="1">Coordinator. Longevity
for All<span> </span><a href="http://www.longevityforall.org/" target="_blank">http://www.longevityforall.org</a></font></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><font size="1"><span style="font-family:Arial">Author. Longevity
History.<span> </span><i>A History of
Life-Extensionism in the Twentieth Century</i> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:blue"><a href="http://longevityhistory.com/" target="_blank"><span lang="DE">http://longevityhistory.com</span></a></span></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><span lang="DE" style="font-family:Arial"><font size="1"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><font size="1"><span lang="DE" style="font-family:Arial">Email:<span> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial"><a href="mailto:ilia.stambler@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span lang="DE" style="color:#1155cc">ilia.stambler@gmail.com</span></a></span><span lang="DE" style="font-family:Arial"></span></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><span lang="DE" style="font-family:Arial"><font size="1">Tel: 972-3-961-4296 / 0522-283-578</font></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><span lang="DE" style="font-family:Arial"><font size="1">Rishon Lezion. Israel</font><span style="font-size:10pt"></span></span></p></div></div></div></div>
</div>