The Life Raft Group

Long-Term Survivor Webinar
2026-04-13 12:00 (America/New_York)
REGISTERHosted by the The Life Raft Group, “What We Wish We’d Known: Advice from Long-Term GIST Survivors” will take place on April 13 at 12 PM ET and features long-term survivors and mentors Kay Stolzer, Dr. John Abrams, Martha Smart, and Piga Fernández. They’ll share what to do after a GIST diagnosis, common mistakes to avoid, and what it’s really like to live with cancer long-term. Join us for practical advice, honest insights, and support from people who have been there.
These webinars are for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any treatment or lifestyle changes.
About Our Presenters:

Dr. John Abrams
John Abrams has been involved with The Life Raft Group for over eight years and is the state leader for Colorado. He serves as a LRG Board Member and GIST mentor. He practiced dentistry for 35 years with an area of expertise in adult restorative dentistry highlighting esthetic restorations. He was honored by his peers as a Colorado 5280 Top Dentist. John retired from dentistry due to the side effects of Gleevec. In his “retirement” he is an equity partner in real estate investment and serves as a consultant for dental offices focusing on management and clinical skills.
John grew up in St. Louis and has lived in Colorado since 1975. He graduated from Miami University (Oxford Ohio) and the University of Missouri School of Dentistry.
As a long time GISTer and survivor of two other primary cancers, John hopes his story can be at least some inspiration to others on their own journey.

Piga Fernández
As a GIST patient who was diagnosed incorrectly in 1995 with leiomyosarcoma, Piga Fernández understands the importance of correct diagnosis and access to treatment. Piga serves as a GIST Mentor and Global Relations Consultant for The Life Raft Group.
In 2001, she founded and is the Executive Director of Fundación GIST Chile, a nonprofit organization dedicated to support GIST and other gastrointestinal patients through education, information, emotional support and advocacy, with the goal of having them experience a better quality of life.
Additionally, she is the Coordinator of Alianza GIST, a consortium of GIST groups in Latin America. Her advocacy efforts in Chile have led to important changes in her country, impacting both legislative change and raising awareness for rare diseases.

Martha Smart
Martha Smart is a 19-year survivor of high-risk small bowel GIST (12 cm, Exon 11) and has been on Gleevec since her diagnosis in 2007. A former speech pathologist based in Midland, Texas, she is a proud mom, grandmother (“NeeNee”), dog mom, and devoted wife of over 53 years.
Her diagnosis came as a complete shock following emergency surgery, prompting her to take an active role in her care and seek treatment at MD Anderson. Since then, she has taken more than 27,000 Gleevec tablets and become deeply connected to the GIST community through The Life Raft Group and other networks.
With humor, resilience, and compassion, she is passionate about sharing her experience to support and guide others living with GIST.

Kay Stolzer
Kay Stolzer joined the LRG Board in March 2021 and was elected to the role of Secretary/Treasurer in March 2022.
She has been a very active volunteer in our LRG community. Kay is one of the original 8 GIST Mentors, a program that has grown to 32 global mentors, and has mentored over 220 patients and caregivers, since its inception in 2019.
In Kay’s earlier life, she was an administrator for a large physicians’ group. When her children were born, she transitioned to full time homemaker, and was a very active volunteer in her community, in various roles and organizations. Kay enjoys spending time with her husband, Ira, and visiting their children and grandchildren in New Jersey and Tennessee.
Thank You to Our Sponsors:

National Cancer Survivors Day
2026-06-01
June 1st is National Cancer Survivors Day.

Life Fest 2026 - Nashville
2026-07-10 15:00 - 2026-07-12 12:00 | Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, 2100 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
Life Fest 2026 will be in Nashville, Tennessee – Friday, July 10th through, Sunday July 12th, 2026 at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, 2100 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN. Hotel, airline & parking information are on the registration page.
Life Fest is a unique event where patients and caregivers come together for a weekend to interact with each other and the medical and scientific communities that serve them. Faced with a rare form of cancer, GIST patients have a great need for information about this disease, particularly as the science evolves and our understanding reveals a complex set of subtypes of GIST, each responding differently to available treatments.
Life Fest workshops provide patients with emerging medical information, and they come away with a deeper knowledge of the disease, treatments and side effect management. They find hope in knowing the scientific community is working toward a cure, and hope is such a vital asset for survival.
Coming together with fellow patients from all walks of life from around the world is a meaningful and powerful experience. In addition to our traditional educational workshops, Life Fest 2026 will feature scientific presentations highlighting the newest research and the latest treatments.
Scholarships are available! Please submit your request through this form.
If you would like to donate to the scholarship fund, visit this link.

REGISTERDownload PDF of Agenda (subject to change.)

We have secured a block of hotel rooms for guests attending Life Fest 2026. This special group rate is only available until June 19th, 2026.
Loews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza
2100 West End Ave,
Nashville, TN 37203
1-877-879-7818
Reserve: www.loewshotels.com/vanderbilt-hotel/group-life-fest-event-2026
Parking for the conference location (Loews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza):
Self-parking for guests at Loews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza is $49 + tax per day, per vehicle.
Alternate parking:
Legacy Parking Company, LLC – Hayes Street Garage (4 minute walk to Loews Hotel)
2011 Hayes St, Nashville, TN 37203
1-209-489-7232
For parking details: bit.ly/LF-BookParking
Questions about Life Fest 2026?
Please reach out to Brian Morello, Director of Development at bmorello@liferaftgroup.org
Thank You To Our Sponsors:

GIST Awareness Day
2026-07-13
GIST Awareness Day is July 13th.
