BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//The Life Raft Group - ECPv6.17.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:The Life Raft Group
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://liferaftgroup.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Life Raft Group
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260225T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260225T120000
DTSTAMP:20260505T155723Z
CREATED:20260114T141731Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T155723Z
UID:10001086-1772020800-1772020800@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:Histotripsy Demystified
DESCRIPTION:REGISTERThe Life Raft Group is proud to present “Histotripsy Demystified: Truths and Misconceptions Explained\,” taking place on February 25\, 2026\, from 12:00–1:30 PM ET. \nThis webinar features an expert panel moderated by Dr. Elizabeth Lilley of Brigham and Women’s Hospital with Dr. Hop Tran Cao (MD Anderson Cancer Center)\, Dr. Suzanne George (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)\, Dr. Christina Angeles (University of Michigan)\, Dr. Alicia Gingrich (University of Nevada/Renown Health System) and Dr. Jiping Wang and Dr. Chandrajit Raut (Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School). \nThis virtual discussion is open to patient and caregivers of ALL sarcoma types. \nHistotripsy is a noninvasive treatment that uses focused ultrasound to mechanically destroy targeted tissue without surgery\, incisions\, or radiation. The procedure has only recently moved into human clinical trials and clinical use\, with the first FDA clearance for treating liver tumors granted in October 2023 and broader study and adoption continuing through the mid-2020s. \nThis virtual panel discussion will bring together experts from multiple institutions to share diverse perspectives on histotripsy\, including how the technology works\, where the science currently stands\, and common myths and misconceptions. Because histotripsy is being explored across multiple tumor types\, the discussion will be relevant and beneficial to all sarcoma patients seeking to better understand emerging treatment approaches and their potential future role in care. A moderated Q&A segment will follow the discussion. \nThese 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. \nAbout Our Presenters:\n \nModerator: Dr. Elizabeth Lilley\nBrigham and Women’s Hospital \nDr. Elizabeth Lilley is a surgical oncologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital specializing in the management of soft tissue sarcomas\, including gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)\, with a special focus on robotic and minimally invasive surgical techniques. Dr. Lilley is triple board certified in surgical oncology\, general surgery\, and palliative medicine. Her research focuses on improving the quality of surgical care for patients with metastatic and recurrent cancers by improving communication surrounding the goals and outcomes of surgery. \nDr. Lilley earned a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Lafayette College\, a master’s of public health from Columbia University\, and a medical degree from Rutgers. She completed general surgery residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital\, followed by the Harvard Interdisciplinary Palliative Care Fellowship. Upon completing fellowship training in Complex General Surgical Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center\, she joined the faculty at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School\, where she now leads a health services research program centered on the intersection of surgical oncology and palliative care. Her combined expertise in both sarcoma surgery and palliative medicine uniquely positions her to improve the person-centered care of patients with advanced sarcomas. \n \nDr. Christina Angeles\nUniversity of Michigan \nDr. Angeles is an Associate Professor with Tenure of Surgery\, Associate Professor of Dermatology\, and Faculty Member in the Cancer Biology PhD Program at the University of Michigan in the Division of Surgical Oncology. She earned her medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine. She completed general surgery residency at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center. While in residency she completed a two-year basic/translational science Surgical Oncology Research Fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) focusing on the molecular biology and novel therapeutics for sarcoma. After residency\, Dr. Angeles returned to MSKCC and completed a clinical Complex Surgical Oncology Fellowship. Dr. Angeles is board-certified in both General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology. She is the Director of the Regional Cancer Therapies Clinic at University of Michigan/Rogel Cancer Center. \nDr. Angeles is a nationally recognized surgeon-scientist dedicated to advancing cancer care through innovative research and compassionate patient care. As the lead investigator for multiple clinical trials at the Rogel Cancer Center\, she is at the forefront of developing new treatments for melanoma and sarcoma. Her laboratory studies the immune system’s role in fighting cancer\, with a special focus on how resident memory T cells can help create long-lasting protection against tumors. By combining basic science and translational research\, Dr. Angeles and her team are working to transform discoveries in the lab into effective new therapies for patients. Dr. Angeles’s research has been supported by the American Cancer Society\, the Melanoma Research Alliance\, the Society of Surgical Oncology\, and the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute (NCI-NIH). \n \nDr. Suzanne George\nDana-Farber Cancer Institute \nSuzanne George\, MD is the Division Chief of the Sarcoma Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute where leads a team focused on research and clinical care of patients with sarcomas and GIST. She has an extensive research experience in clinical trials and drug development and cares for patient from across New England\, the US and internationally. \n \nDr. Alicia Gingrich\nUniversity of Nevada/ Renown Medical Group \nDr. Gingrich is a surgical oncologist at the University of Nevada\, Reno. She attended medical school at the University of Kansas prior to completing general surgery residency at the University of California\, Davis. She trained at MD Anderson for her complex general surgical oncology fellowship. Dr. Gingrich’s clinical practice focuses on soft tissue sarcoma and GIST as well as hepatobiliary tumors. The University of Nevada\, Reno/Renown were one of the early adopters of Histotripsy and have been performing this procedure for 2 years. She utilizes Histotripsy for select patients with liver tumors. \n \nDr. Chandrajit P. Raut\nChief\, Division of Surgical Oncology\, Mass General Brigham \nDr. Raut is a dedicated surgical oncologist who specializes in the multidisciplinary care of patients with soft tissue sarcoma.  He is a prolific researcher who has received federal funding to investigate sarcoma tumor genetics and identify strategies at reducing sarcoma recurrence rates.  Additionally\, he has served as co-PI or institutional PI on several US and international phase 2 or phase 3 clinical trials evaluating neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapies in various sarcomas. \nDr. Raut is a graduate of Stanford University\, University of Oxford\, and Harvard Medical School.  He completed his general surgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and surgical oncology fellowship at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. \nDr. Raut currently serves as Chair of the AJCC Soft Tissue Sarcoma Staging Panel (9th edition)\, Co-Chair of the Surgery Committee in the cancer cooperative group Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology\, and Treasurer on the Executive Board of the Connective Tissue Oncology Society.  In 2013\, he co-founded the Transatlantic Australasian Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working Group.  He is the former Program Director of the Mass General Brigham/Dana-Farber Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program at Harvard Medical School.  He serves as Section Editor for sarcoma in the journals Cancer and Surgical Oncology Insights.  He has authored over 300 papers and over 30 book chapters. \n \nDr. Hop Tran Cao\nMD Anderson Cancer Center \nDr. Hop Tran Cao is an Associate Professor and Vice-Chair of Clinical Operations in the Department of Surgical Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center\, where he specializes in the management of hepatobiliary tumors. He is an expert in minimally invasive surgical techniques and chairs the Minimally Invasive and New Technology in Oncologic Surgery governing committee at MD Anderson. He also chairs the multidisciplinary Histotripsy Steering Committee. \nDr. Tran Cao’s research focuses on improving cancer care quality and precision. He completed his General Surgery residency at the University of California San Diego and his fellowship in Complex General Surgical Oncology at MD Anderson. \n \nDr. Jiping Wang\nBrigham and Women’s Hospital \nDr. Jiping Wang is a surgical oncologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He specializes in treating gastric\, liver\, and pancreatic cancer and soft tissue sarcoma. He has a special interest in using minimally invasive platforms to perform cancer surgeries. In this video he explains robotic surgery for patients.
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/histotripsy-demystified/
CATEGORIES:Education,Events
ORGANIZER;CN="Rebecca Pauley":MAILTO:rpauley@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260321T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260321T160000
DTSTAMP:20260505T144259Z
CREATED:20260210T162611Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T144259Z
UID:10001161-1774080000-1774108800@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:GIST Summit 2026 / GDOL Texas
DESCRIPTION:REGISTERMD Anderson Cancer Center\, GIST Support International and The Life Raft Group are hosting a GIST Summit / GDOL Texas 2026 for  GIST patients and caregivers in Houston\, Texas in March 21 to showcase recent developments in GIST treatments and therapies. \n\n \n\n \nThis free event is being sponsored through educational and other grants and gifts from pharmaceutical companies and individual donors. The program will include numerous presentations on the current state of GIST as well as future treatments and one-on-one conversations with the experts. All meals\, refreshments\, and parking will be provided. \nPlease join our community of GIST patients and caregivers for these relevant and informative talks\, meet with old friends and new\, and catch up on the latest science. Previous GIST Summits and GIST Days of Learning have been great successes\, and this year’s program is exciting as ever. Where else can you discuss GIST issues with the experts and ask questions you always wanted to ask? You will also have time to meet with other GIST patients and caregivers and to share experiences. \nHave questions? Contact Brian Morello: bmorello@liferaftgroup.org \nClick to view Agenda PDF \n\n \n\n \nThank You To Our Sponsors:
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/gist-summit-2026-gdol-texas/
LOCATION:MD Anderson Cancer Prevention Center\, 1155 Pressler Street 8th Floor\, Houston\, TX\, 77030\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education,Events
ORGANIZER;CN="Brian Morello":MAILTO:bmorello@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260413T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260413T120000
DTSTAMP:20260325T130245Z
CREATED:20260324T133307Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T130245Z
UID:10001637-1776081600-1776081600@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:Long-Term Survivor Webinar
DESCRIPTION: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. \nThese 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. \nAbout Our Presenters:\n \nDr. John Abrams \nJohn 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. \nJohn 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. \nAs 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. \n \nPiga Fernández \nAs 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. \nIn 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. \nAdditionally\, 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. \n \nMartha Smart \nMartha 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. \nHer 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. \nWith humor\, resilience\, and compassion\, she is passionate about sharing her experience to support and guide others living with GIST. \n \nKay Stolzer \nKay Stolzer joined the LRG Board in March 2021 and was elected to the role of Secretary/Treasurer in March 2022. \nShe 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. \nIn 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. \nThank You to Our Sponsors:
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/long-term-survivor-webinar/
CATEGORIES:Education,Events,Webcast
ORGANIZER;CN="Rebecca Pauley":MAILTO:rpauley@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260521T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260521T120000
DTSTAMP:20260514T144606Z
CREATED:20260428T124406Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260514T144606Z
UID:10001650-1779364800-1779364800@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:What It Means to Join a Clinical Trial
DESCRIPTION:REGISTERHosted by The Life Raft Group\, join us on May 21 at 12 PM ET for a candid\, informative conversation about stepping into a clinical trial. Rashmi Chugh\, MD of University of Michigan Rogel Comprehensive Cancer Center will present how clinical trials work\, who they’re for\, and what you can really expect and Dirk Niggemeyer\, GIST patient\, will share his personal journey navigating two clinical trials. \nWhether you’re newly diagnosed\, exploring new treatment options\, or simply want to better understand clinical trials\, this session will help you make more informed decisions with confidence. \nThese 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. \nAbout Our Presenters:\n \nDr. Rashmi Chugh\nUniversity of Michigan Rogel Comprehensive Cancer Center\n \nDr. Rashmi Chugh is a Professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Michigan Rogel Comprehensive Cancer Center\, Associate Division Chief of Clinical Services of Hematology/Oncology\, and Sarcoma Clinical Research Team Co-Leader. Her clinical practice is focused on the care of patients with bone and soft tissue sarcoma including gastrointestinal stromal tumors.  Dr. Chugh’s research involves conducting early and late phase clinical trials of novel therapies alone or in combination with a goal to advance the care of sarcoma patients. She also is Medical Co-Director of the Michigan Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology Program and has a particular interest in the care and research surrounding the unique challenges this population faces. \n \nDirk Niggemeyer\nPatient Advocate\n \nDirk Niggemeyer was diagnosed with GIST (KIT Exon 11) in July 2018 when he went from Engineering Manager and youth soccer coach to palliative care patient overnight. He continued working until late 2021. Dirk has participated in two medical studies: For 15 months\, he was in the control group in the Phase 3 Sutent vs Qinlock study\, and he has been participating in the IDRX-42 Phase 1b study for the last 22 months. \nThank You to Our Sponsors:
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/what-it-means-to-join-a-clinical-trial/
CATEGORIES:Education,Events,Webcast
ORGANIZER;CN="Rebecca Pauley":MAILTO:rpauley@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260530T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260530T130000
DTSTAMP:20260430T145715Z
CREATED:20260424T124559Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260430T145715Z
UID:10001641-1780146000-1780146000@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:Understanding GIST/Role of Clinical Trials
DESCRIPTION:REGISTERGIST Sarcoma Life Raft Group Canada is holding an Online Only event on\nSaturday May 30th\, 2026 at 1:00pm. \n We will be sharing our perspective on Understanding GIST and The Role of Clinical Trials.\n \nWe will be presenting an updated GIST 101 with David Josephy.  We will also be reviewing how to navigate the Clinical Trials website and when to consider a trial with Gabriel Melkonian. We will also hear from our member – Robert Kirschman who has participated in clinical trials during his journey to share his experience.
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/gist-clinical-trials-lrg-canada/
CATEGORIES:Education,Events,Webcast
ORGANIZER;CN="GIST Sarcoma Life Raft Group Canada":MAILTO:yvonne.nunnaro@liferaftgroup.ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260601T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260601T120000
DTSTAMP:20260514T144521Z
CREATED:20260505T175855Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260514T144521Z
UID:10001653-1780315200-1780315200@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:Expert Nutrition & Exercise Advice
DESCRIPTION:REGISTERHosted by The Life Raft Group\, join us in honor of National Cancer Survivors Month for an empowering and informative webinar\, “Expert Nutrition & Exercise Advice for Sarcoma Patients” taking place on June 1st at 12 PM ET. \nThis special session will feature Dr. Loren Yavelberg\, Post-Doctoral Associate\, CEP\, ACSM-ACS Exercise Oncology Specialist\, and Dr. Harleen Kaur\, a behavioral scientist with a PhD in Nutrition Sciences\, both from the University of Miami. \nTogether\, they will share practical\, evidence-based guidance on how to support your body through every stage of the cancer journey. From preparing for surgery to rebuilding strength afterward\, the discussion will explore the role of nutrition\, physical activity\, and overall wellness in cancer care. You’ll learn about different dietary approaches\, exercise programs\, and what current research says about their impact. \nWhether you’re newly diagnosed\, in treatment\, or navigating survivorship\, this webinar will provide tools and insights to help you feel stronger\, more informed\, and supported. A Q&A session will follow the presentations. \nThese 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. \nAbout Our Presenters:\n \nDr. Loren Yavelberg\nUniversity of Miami\n \nDr. Loren Yavelberg is an exercise physiologist with a PhD in Applied Cardiopulmonary Physiology whose research focuses on exercise oncology\, lifestyle medicine\, and supportive care interventions across the cancer continuum. His work integrates clinical trials\, community-based programming\, and behavioral strategies to improve treatment tolerance and patient outcomes. \n \nDr. Harleen Kaur\nUniversity of Miami\n \nDr. Harleen Kaur is a behavioral scientist with a PhD in Nutrition Sciences from the University of Alabama at Birmingham\, where she was supported by the T32 Cancer Prevention and Control Training Program at O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is currently supported by the T32 Training to Reduce Burden across the Cancer Control Continuum Multidisciplinary Program at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center\, where she is advancing her training in lifestyle medicine and oncology research. Her research focuses on the design\, implementation\, and evaluation of multibehavior diet and physical activity interventions during active cancer treatment and survivorship. Her work aims to advance precision lifestyle medicine through scalable\, digitally supported behavioral strategies\, leveraging digital technologies to expand reach and incorporating artificial intelligence to enhance personalization. \nThank You to Our Sponsors:
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/nutrition-exercise-advice-for-sarcoma-patients/
CATEGORIES:Education,Events,Webcast
ORGANIZER;CN="Rebecca Pauley":MAILTO:rpauley@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260607
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260608
DTSTAMP:20260505T144748Z
CREATED:20260325T150949Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T144748Z
UID:10001639-1780790400-1780876799@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:National Cancer Survivors Day
DESCRIPTION:June 7th is National Cancer Survivors Day.
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/national-cancer-survivors-day/
CATEGORIES:Education,Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260617T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260617T130000
DTSTAMP:20260707T160557Z
CREATED:20260529T161111Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260707T160557Z
UID:10001656-1781701200-1781701200@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:GIST Updates from ASCO 2026
DESCRIPTION:REGISTERASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) is an important conference in the oncology community where new scientific research updates are shared. The Life Raft Group is excited to partner with Hirotaka Miyashita\, MD PhD of UC San Diego Health\, who will summarize abstracts and presentations that were presented during this conference that are relevant to the GIST patient community. Join us June 17th at 1pm for this virtual presentation. A Q&A session will follow the presentation. \nThese 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. \nAbout Our Presenter:\n \nDr. Hirotaka Miyashita\nUCSD Moores Cancer Center\n \nHirotaka Miyashita\, MD\, PhD\, is a board-certified medical oncologist who specializes in treating patients with sarcomas\, including rare and complex soft tissue and bone tumors. He is co-leader of the Sarcoma Disease Team at Moores Cancer Center\, and also leads and participates in biomarker-driven early-phase clinical trials to bring innovative therapies to patients across cancer types. \nDr. Miyashita prioritizes shared decision-making\, empowering his patients to make choices aligned with their goals and values. In caring for patients with sarcomas\, rare and complex cancers that often require individualized care\, he finds his work most rewarding when he can help patients live fulfilling lives with treatment plans that reflect their priorities and values. \nWith training in bioinformatics\, he leverages his expertise to integrate and analyze complex biomedical data in support of precision oncology and translational cancer research. He has published multiple articles on clinical oncology and has experience designing and conducting early-phase clinical trials. He is a strong advocate for community-oriented\, patient-centered clinical trials\, aiming to improve access and equity in cancer research. \nDr. Miyashita completed a hematology/oncology fellowship at Dartmouth Cancer Center as well as a clinical pharmacology fellowship at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Beth Israel) and a residency in general medicine at the University of Tokyo Hospital in Japan. He also has a PhD in bioinformatics from University of Tsukuba in Japan. \nHe is a member of multiple national and international professional societies\, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology\, the Connective Tissue Oncology Society\, and the SWOG Sarcoma Working Group. Dr. Miyashita is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. \nThank You to Our Sponsors:
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/gist-updates-from-asco-2026/
CATEGORIES:Education,Events,Webcast
ORGANIZER;CN="Rebecca Pauley":MAILTO:rpauley@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260710T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260712T120000
DTSTAMP:20260702T150458Z
CREATED:20250617T191752Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260702T150458Z
UID:10000827-1783695600-1783857600@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:Life Fest 2026 - Nashville
DESCRIPTION: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. \nLife 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. \nLife 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. \nComing 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. \nCurrently scholarship applications for Life Fest are closed. Please contact Brian Morello at bmorello@liferaftgroup.org for more information. \n\nREGISTERDownload PDF of Agenda (subject to change.) \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nWe have secured a block of hotel rooms for guests attending Life Fest 2026. This special group rate is only available until June 19th\, 2026. \nLoews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza\n2100 West End Ave\,\nNashville\, TN 37203\n1-877-879-7818 \nReserve: www.loewshotels.com/vanderbilt-hotel/group-life-fest-event-2026 \nParking for the conference location (Loews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza):\nSelf-parking for guests at Loews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza is $49 + tax per day\, per vehicle. \nAlternate parking:\nLegacy Parking Company\, LLC – Hayes Street Garage (4 minute walk to Loews Hotel)\n2011 Hayes St\, Nashville\, TN 37203\n1-209-489-7232 \nFor parking details: bit.ly/LF-BookParking \nQuestions about Life Fest 2026?\nPlease reach out to Brian Morello\, Director of Development at bmorello@liferaftgroup.org
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/life-fest-2026-nashville/
LOCATION:Loews Vanderbilt Hotel\, 2100 West End Avenue\, Nashville\, TN\, 37203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education,Events
ORGANIZER;CN="Brian Morello":MAILTO:bmorello@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260713
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260714
DTSTAMP:20260630T205742Z
CREATED:20260325T131420Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260630T205742Z
UID:10001638-1783900800-1783987199@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:GIST Awareness Day
DESCRIPTION:GIST Awareness Day is July 13th.\nClick to download this year’s logo. \n \nHow can you raise awareness on GIST Awareness Day and throughout Sarcoma Awareness Month?\nLike\, share\, and comment on our posts throughout the month and post your own story or the parts you feel comfortable sharing frequently. You can also host a July fundraiser on Facebook to honor your journey as a GISTer or a loved one who has faced GIST – see our resources here. If you are interested in organizing an another type of fundraising event\, please contact Brian Morello at bmorello@liferaftgroup.org. If you want to share your story\, to be distributed on LRG social media platforms and communities\, please reach out to Carol Tordella at ctordella@liferaftgroup.org \nThis GIST Awareness Day\, share the milestones\, victories\, and meaningful moments that make your GIST journey uniquely yours. Share your story on our GAD kudoboard today and share so others can share theirs! https://liferaftgroup.kudoboard.com/boards/OutDEFYR/GAD2026
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/gist-awareness-day/
CATEGORIES:Education,Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260820T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260820T120000
DTSTAMP:20260804T200710Z
CREATED:20260804T182302Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T200710Z
UID:10001668-1787227200-1787227200@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:Introducing the New LRG Patient Registry
DESCRIPTION:REGISTERJoin The Life Raft Group for an introduction to the NEW LRG Patient Registry on Thursday\, August 20th at 12:00 PM. Denisse Evans\, Senior Director of Data Management & Research\, and Ian Hill\, Data & Registry Systems Analyst\, will walk through the new features fo the Registry and share how these enhancements are designed to better serve both patients and researchers in the GIST community. \nAttendees will learn how this redesign strengthens data collection\, improves the patient experience\, and supports research efforts aimed at advancing understanding of disease progression\, treatment outcomes\, and long-term survivorship. Whether you’re a patient\, caregiver\, researcher\, or advocate\, this webinar will offer valuable insight into how the Registry is evolving to drive meaningful progress in GIST research and care. \nThese 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. \nAbout Our Presenters:\n \nDenisse Evans\nSenior Director of Data Management & Research \n \nAs Senior Director of Data Management & Research at the Life Raft Group (LRG)\, Denisse Evans brings a dynamic blend of scientific expertise\, strategic leadership\, and a passion for patient advocacy to the forefront of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) research. Her career has been dedicated to leveraging data-driven insights to improve patient outcomes\, empower communities\, and drive innovation in rare cancer research. \nShe specializes in designing and implementing robust study protocols\, with a focus on Patient-Reported Outcomes (PRO) and biomedical data analysis. As Principal Investigator of the Natural History Study for the largest GIST cohort globally\, she leads groundbreaking research efforts to uncover insights into disease progression\, treatment outcomes\, and long-term survivorship. She spearheaded the development of the newly rebuilt LRG Patient Registry\, guiding its redesign to better serve both patient and scientific communities and strengthening its role as a foundational resource for GIST research. In addition to managing the Registry\, she heads the organization’s Tissue Bank\, a vital resource for advancing translational research. Her leadership extends to fostering collaborations with premier medical and academic institutions\, enabling multi-institutional studies that drive impactful discoveries in the field. \n \nIan Hill\nData and Registry Systems Analyst\n \nIan Hill\, Data and Registry Systems Analyst at The Life Raft Group\, brings a career path that reflects the blending of technical skill\, analytical thinking\, and a strong desire to make a difference in people’s lives. With a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a Master of Data Science from the same institution he built a strong foundation in understanding complex systems that naturally evolved into his pursuit of data science. In his role\, he brings together his technical training\, scientific background\, and personal values to support registry development\, clean and analyze clinical datasets\, and design reports and dashboards that make data meaningful for researchers\, clinicians\, and patients alike. \nHe played a major part in bringing the technical aspects of the newly rebuilt LRG Patient Registry to life\, helping translate its vision into a functioning system built to serve patients and researchers alike. His ability to translate raw information into actionable insights highlights both his technical expertise and his empathy for those who rely on the data to guide treatment and care. \nThank You to Our Sponsors:
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/introducing-the-new-lrg-patient-registry/
CATEGORIES:Education,Events,Webcast
ORGANIZER;CN="Rebecca Pauley":MAILTO:rpauley@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260926T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260926T140000
DTSTAMP:20260723T154825Z
CREATED:20260529T153741Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260723T154825Z
UID:10001655-1790409600-1790431200@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:GDOL Minnesota
DESCRIPTION:GDOL Minnesota will take place in-person at Mayo Clinic\, Judd Hall Auditorium\, Mayo Building\, Subway Level\, Room 00\, 200 First Street SW in Rochester. \nREGISTERDownload PDF of Agenda (subject to change.) \n \nWhat is a GDOL? \nA GDOL is a GIST Day of Learning. This is a free one day event to help patients and caregivers learn more about this rare cancer\, find support\, and enhance their knowledge base to help them navigate their cancer journey. \nThe Life Raft Group is committed to enhancing the survival and quality of life for people living with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)\, and other rare diseases\, through patient-powered research\, education and empowerment\, and global advocacy efforts. Our vision is to empower a future fueled by data\, guiding our journey toward cures for rare diseases. \nIf you have any questions\, please contact Brian Morello at bmorello@liferaftgroup.org
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/gdol-minnesota/
LOCATION:Judd Hall Auditorium\, 200 First Street SW\, Rochester\, Minnesota\, 55905
CATEGORIES:Education,Events
ORGANIZER;CN="Brian Morello":MAILTO:bmorello@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261024
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261025
DTSTAMP:20260702T135846Z
CREATED:20260605T160436Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260702T135846Z
UID:10001666-1792800000-1792886399@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:GDOL San Diego
DESCRIPTION:GDOL San Diego will take place in-person at Moores Cancer Center\, 3855 Health Sciences Dr\, 2nd floor\, La Jolla\, CA 92037 on October 24\, 2026. \nREGISTERDownload PDF of Agenda (subject to change.) \n\n \n\n \n\nWhat is a GDOL?\n\nA GDOL is a GIST Day of Learning. This is a free one day event to help patients and caregivers learn more about this rare cancer\, find support\, and enhance their knowledge base to help them navigate their cancer journey. \nThe Life Raft Group is committed to enhancing the survival and quality of life for people living with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)\, and other rare diseases\, through patient-powered research\, education and empowerment\, and global advocacy efforts. Our vision is to empower a future fueled by data\, guiding our journey toward cures for rare diseases. \nIf you have any questions\, please contact Brian Morello at bmorello@liferaftgroup.org
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/gdol-san-diego-2026/
LOCATION:Moores Cancer Center\, 3855 Health Sciences Dr\, La Jolla\, CA 92037\, La Jolla\, CA\, 92037\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education,Events
ORGANIZER;CN="Brian Morello":MAILTO:bmorello@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR