Top GIST Specialists Present at California GDOL

On Sunday, November 15, the last GDOL in the 2015 series was held in Orange County, California at the Fullerton Arboretum. GDOL stands for GIST Day of Learning, a free, one-day program that provides both education and support to the GIST community. Top GIST specialists present the latest on research and treatment options as well as providing a comprehensive review of the science behind GIST. GDOLs provide an opportunity not only to meet and interact with local expert practitioners in an intimate setting, but also for patients to connect with one another in a supportive environment.

The featured speakers for this event were surgical oncologist Jason Sicklick of University of California at San Diego and medical oncologist Michael Heinrich from Oregon Health Science University. Mildred Menos, Assistant Director of Programs at the Life Raft Group, provided an overview of the LRG’s programs with a focus on the LRG Patient Registry, the impact that data donated has and the benefits its members receive. LRG Southern California state leader Dina Wiley held a support group meeting prior to the day’s seminar in which patients and caregivers could come together to provide feedback, ask questions and trade experiences about their GIST journeys.

We are currently planning the next cities for the 2016 GDOL series. Please stay tuned to the LRG website and our email communications for more information on these events and others.

Interested in having the LRG come to your city for our next GDOL?  Email your ideas to Laura Occhiuzzi at locchiuzzi@liferaftgroup.org