Patient of the Month for January: John Abrams
Each member has a unique story, but all reflect the intrinsic courage of one facing the challenge of GIST. John Abrams shares his story.
Women in Sarcoma Virtual Gala
At this Virtual Awards Gala, we highlighted women in sarcoma (both medical professionals and patients) who make a difference in patients’ lives, and to inspire the community with their stories and perspectives of women’s role in oncology as well as their personal experiences.
Thank You to Our Newest GEMs!
Our GEM Donor Program has a group of new donors that will help the LRG continue the work we do with patients and #GISTresearch. The Life Raft Group is grateful to our GEM [...]
GIST & Creativity – Gewelry for GIST with Christine Gonzales
Christine, a former elementary school teacher, is raising three sons with husband Adam, in New Mexico. She doesn’t feel that creativity has always had a place in her life, but teaching elementary school always provides opportunities for innovation and creative thinking so perhaps it’s a matter of perspective.
GIST & Creativity – Art Quilter, Crafter, Teacher Claire Monaghan
GIST happened soon after her first quilt was accepted into a quilt exhibit and after participating in her first holiday craft show last December. Every GIST patient has a unique story about how they were diagnosed and where their journey takes them but Claire can literally credit a recurrence of her sister's ovarian cancer in January as the reason she found her GIST tumor.
GIST & Creativity – Sculptor & Public Artist, Tim Watkins
You may have spotted a creation by May & Watkins Design and not even realized it. They create public art, or industrial sculptures – art that is commissioned for public spaces. The partnership of artists, Carol May and Tim Watkins, began after meeting as 20-somethings on scholarship at the Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture in Maine.
GIST & Creativity – Industrial Designer, John Paul Zagami
Pratt institute graduate, John Paul Zagami studied industrial design. John’s journey with GIST began with unexplainable digestive issues. After suffering a kidney stone attack which led to an ER visit, a mass was found.
Points of Light for 2020
Despite the challenges of Covid, the LRG has quickly developed new ways of working together virtually. We have kept afloat and served our community well during this dark year. These points of light show just how far we've come this year.
Women in Sarcoma Virtual Gala Recap
The first annual Women in Sarcoma gala was held virtually on Thursday, December 10th, 2020. It was a fantastic evening where the Life Raft Group celebrated some phenomenal women within the community.
Normal Life Interrupted
Angel Selena Rodriguez was living what she considered a very normal life. She was studying medicine, playing violin in an orchestra, and enjoying painting and drawing, and university in Venezuela.