This book charts the history of IARC from its origins to the present day. In so doing it has highlighted just a few of the Agency’s scientific achievements and contributions to cancer prevention. These achievements have been widely recognized and appreciated. Scientists originating from all over the world at different stages of their careers have subsequently moved on from IARC to make valuable contributions to international cancer research elsewhere. Indeed, a major feature of the Agency is this flow-through of researchers, who leave better equipped for their future by the experience gained.
There is another category of people at IARC who underpin all that is achieved and who move on less frequently. This is the group of people most often referred to as “support staff” but to whom the word “support” does not do sufficient justice. IARC has to provide an infrastructure for its scientists, without which nothing could be achieved, and these colleagues provide that necessary environment. This type of “support” means a building that remains open, safe, and functional (not always an easy task); it means administrative structures for human resources, finance, budgets, contracts and grant management, procurement, information technology, and the ever-busy helpdesk; experts who can operate the sophisticated equipment used in laboratories, those who maintain the cleanliness of those same laboratories, and those who can manage and analyse the terabytes of scientific data collected; those who greet visitors; those who manage the mountains of correspondence, electronic and otherwise; those who oversee the ever-expanding biobank; those who ensure that the scientists are in the right place at the right time; those who edit the books, publicize the accomplishments, translate the documents, and present content on the web; and those who feed us and keep us healthy and safe. This group includes all those here now and the many more who have gone before, who are quietly and effectively dedicated to the mission of IARC and are proud to share in the successes of the organization.
IARC is successful due in large part to these valued colleagues. In 2009, the Agency established the IARC Staff Award to capture just a little of this value, by recognizing those who upon retirement had spent 30 or more years of their career at the Agency. In 2011, the IARC Recognition Programme was introduced to capture a little more, by allowing peers within the Agency to highlight the exceptional contributions their colleagues have made, often in these “support” areas. These efforts, however, only begin to scratch the surface of acknowledging the commitments made.
Therefore, this commemorative book also celebrates and pays tribute to all those who have enabled the science of IARC to be successfully performed over five decades. The success belongs also to you.