The LRG is gearing up for our third annual GIST Awareness Day (GAD) on July 13, 2017 with our theme, Be a #Hero4Cancer.

GIST Awareness Day was created in 2014 with the goal of raising awareness about GIST (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor), a rare cancer of the gastrointestinal tract that affects approximately 5,000 new patients in the United States each year.

July is Sarcoma Awareness month, and since GIST is a sarcoma we decided to hold our celebration to coincide with this. We chose the 13th because 13 people are diagnosed with GIST each day.

Mythical HeroBe a H.E.R.O. for Cancer #Hero4Cancer

The LRG recently launched our Patient Powered H.E.R.O. campaign to illustrate the importance of donating tissue, data and funds to expedite cancer research outcomes.

Continuing with that theme, we are inviting patients, caregivers, friends of GISTers, researchers, physicians and anyone who would like to spread the word to join us in raising awareness about GIST.

How to Participate in GIST Awareness Day

There are many ways to participate in GIST Awareness Day. Please see our “How to Participate” page on our website.

Both national and global activities are in the planning stages. Check our events page often for more information and newly added opportunities to celebrate GAD.

Two major events, one on each coast, are planned at major medical institutions.

On July 13 from 10 AM-3PM in the lobby of Moores Cancer Center, Jacobs Medical Center at UC San Diego Health, 9300 Campus Point Drive, La Jolla, California, and also on July 13 from 10AM-3PM in the Ruttenberg Treatment Center waiting areas of Mt. Sinai Hospital, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, there will be a chance to learn more about GIST, to sign up to pledge your data, tissue or donations, and to take photos with Tommy Tissue and Dina Data.

The New York Group led by Pat Bonda-Swenson, will once again host a luncheon on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at Taste 99 (Carlyle on the Green), on the golf course at Bethpage State Park, Old Bethpage New York. To attend, please contact Pat: pbondaswenson@yahoo.com.


Need help planning a GIST Awareness Day event?

It is our hope that all across the globe individuals and groups will put on their best “super hero” capes, strike a pose and post their photos on social media with the hashtag, “Hero4Cancer,” and will donate their data, tissue and money to help expedite research outcomes, increasing survival for those with GIST.

Please contact Laura Occhiuzzi: locchiuzzi@liferaftgroup.org.