An unexpected crisis occurred as the Association entered a new era in providing services to the community of variable star astronomy and reaping the benefits of its energetic director's international involvement in that science. The events involving Janet Mattei's illness occurred rapidly and caught everyone by surprise. Yet, with steadfast dedication and the strong support of the Council, the staff of the Association continued near normal operations and awaited the outcome of this crisis.

As Mattei left precipitously on September 6, 2003, to begin treatment for her rare and usually fatal blood disease, acute myelogenous leukemia, she appointed senior technical assistant Elizabeth Waagen as her deputy to manage operations while she received treatment, staff astronomer Matthew Templeton as science advisor, and technical assistant Aaron Price to be responsible for information technology. Within a few days the Executive Committee of the Council approved those choices and designated Waagen as the interim director, vesting her with all the authority that had been exercised by Mattei, and then waited to learn the outcome of the chemotherapy treatments already being administered to Mattei.