A Milestone Gathering: 25 Years of GIST Progress at Dana-Farber
Boston set the stage for something truly special on Saturday, September 27, as The Life Raft Group brought its latest GIST Day of Learning (GDOL) to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. More than 100 patients, caregivers, and experts filled the room – not just to hear about research updates, but to celebrate how far the GIST community has come together over the past quarter century.
This GDOL was unlike any other. It marked 25 years of GIST treatment advances, a milestone that felt personal for many in the audience whose lives have been shaped by these breakthroughs. Executive Director Sara Rothschild presented Dr. George Demetri, Dr. Suzanne George, and the sarcoma team at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute with a GIST Center of Excellence Award, well-deserved recognition of their decades-long dedication to improving care and outcomes for patients.
The LRG’s leadership team—including Deputy Director Laura Occhiuzzi, Senior Vice President Rachel LoCurto, and Director of Development Brian Morello—joined Sara in welcoming participants, connecting with attendees throughout the day, and celebrating this milestone alongside the GIST community. Their presence underscored the organization’s patient-driven mission to educate, support, and advocate for everyone affected by GIST.
The program itself highlighted just how much progress has been made and where the field is headed next. Attendees heard from some of the foremost voices in GIST care and research:
• 25 Years of GIST Treatment: A History of GIST and Where We Are Going – Dr. George Demetri
• GIST 101 – Dr. Candace Haddox
• Emerging Translational Research – Dr. Inga-Marie Schaefer & Dr. Matthew Hemming
• Navigating Clinical Trials – Melissa B. Hohos, RN & Dirk Niggemeyer, GIST Patient Advocate
• GIST Therapies: From Approved to Investigational – Dr. Suzanne George
• New Approaches in Surgical Techniques & Local Therapy – Dr. Jiping Wang & Dr. Elizabeth Lilley
• Supportive Oncology Panel – Moderator: Dr. Priscilla Merriam
• Symptom Management – Sarah Trafton, NP
• Psychological Well-Being with GIST – Roberta Y. Allison, LICSW
• Integrative Oncology – Daniel S. Glidden, PA-C, MS
• Q&A with the Experts – Dr. Suzanne George
Dr. George, who organized the program, and every physician who gave up their Saturday to be part of the event, were warmly acknowledged by the LRG team for their unwavering commitment to the community.
But it wasn’t only about the presentations. The spirit of the day was found in the hallways and over coffee breaks—patients meeting others who understood their journey, caregivers trading stories and advice, and newcomers discovering that they weren’t alone. These organic moments of support often carried as much meaning as the clinical updates from the stage.
For The Life Raft Group, this Boston GDOL was a powerful reminder of why this work matters: advancing science, yes, but also creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported. It was a day defined by learning and progress—and by the hope that continues to propel the GIST community forward.
