Our mission is to enhance the survival and quality of life for people living with GIST through patient-powered research, education and empowerment, and global advocacy efforts.
PATIENT
Leverage patient perspective to drive innovative solutions in cancer research.
POWERED
Educate and empower patients to take a larger role in their care.
SCIENCE
Accelerate research outcomes through collaborative efforts.
FOR LIFE
Increase access to effective treatments worldwide.
Real World Evidence In Action
Traditional models for cancer research have resulted in many breakthrough treatments for patients, but it is not enough. The LRG’s approach to research through real world evidence, relies on timely, accurate data from the patient’s perspective, with patient survival as the primary objective.
RECENT LRG DATA
Did you know that GIST is actually a family of cancers? Learn more about the science of GIST.
Update your GIST Patient Registry Information.
Join The Life Raft Group.
Available GIST clinical trials.
Search our database of GIST Specialists.
Dr. Monica Anderson
Diagnosed in 2012 with Adult GIST.
Marc Wasserman
Diagnosed in 2006 with Adult GIST.
Bella Rocco
Diagnosed in 2009 with Pediatric
(SDH-Deficient) GIST.
HELP US SAVE LIVES
The Life Raft Group is a community and it is up to all of us to make a difference. There are many ways to help. We always need patient tissue and data in our registry. Volunteering your time or making a monetary donation also helps us drive research forward and save lives.
Survival in Advanced GIST Has Improved Over Time – LRG Science
In this issue of LRG Science, the relationship between overall survival (OS) and access to treatments after imatinib failure is explored. In 2019, the LRG published this research in Clinical Sarcoma Research and this issue includes commentary from experts. LRG Science endeavors to be a respected source of timely, science-based information built on real world data designed for those whose focus is to increase patient survival from GIST and other cancers.
Partnership for Survival – Treating the Rarest of the Rare
Our Rare Disease Day offering is a whitepaper titled 'Partnership for Survival – Treating the Rarest of the Rare' detailing how a collaboration with the NIH has become a model for other advocacy groups and researchers.
Blueprint Medicines Announces Publication in The Lancet Oncology
Blueprint Medicines Announces Publication in The Lancet Oncology Showing Durable Clinical Benefits of AYVAKIT™ (avapritinib) in NAVIGATOR Trial Patients with PDGFRA D842V Mutant GIST.
Help Us Celebrate GIST Awareness Day with #GISTHope
For GIST Awareness Day, to celebrate our theme of #GISTHope, we’re asking you to spread the word about GIST on social media and out in the world.
Heroes on the Frontline: Dr. Jonathan Trent
The LRG was fortunate to get a few minutes with GIST specialist, Jonathan Trent, MD, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, who shared his experience with his patients over the past few months during the coronavirus pandemic.
Heroes on the Frontline: Eric Lindberg
Eric Lindberg, diagnosed with GIST in 2017, works as an emergency room nurse and has been on the frontlines throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Heroes on the Frontline: Dr. Matthew Lurin
Q&A with a LRG Major Donor & Fundraiser
Long-Term Survivor Stories – Chuck Korte & Dina Wiley
For GIST patients, long term survival is the ultimate goal. A number of factors may influence long term survival – some of these are demographic and clinical, like mutational subtype and genetic factors. However, there are a number of others that are perhaps more subtle, such as lifestyle, attitude, and access to treatment, experts, and advice.
Making the Right Decisions in Tough Times
Amelia Yeo, LRG Country Liaison for Singapore and GIST caregiver, describes how she and her husband are doing during this global health pandemic.
Keep up with the latest news, events, and opportunities to help.
To contact The Life Raft Group, please call 973-837-9092
GLOBAL PARTNERS
