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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250619T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250619T190000
DTSTAMP:20260405T191333
CREATED:20250513T131917Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250515T204708Z
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SUMMARY:Updates from ASCO 2025
DESCRIPTION:ASCO (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 Herbert Loong\, who will summarize abstracts and presentations that were presented during this conference that are relevant to the GIST patient community. Join us June 19th at 7pm 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. If you have questions or comments\, please reach out to srothschild@liferaftgroup.org. \nREGISTERAbout Our Presenter\n \nDr. Herbert Loong \nThe Chinese University of Hong Kong \nDr. Herbert H. Loong holds conjoint appointments of Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Oncology and Deputy Medical Director of the Phase 1 Clinical Trials Centre of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is also the current and founding convenor of the Prince of Wales Hospital Adult Sarcoma Multidisciplinary Team. \nDr. Loong has served or continues to serve in various capacities in various professional international oncology bodies\, including the International Affairs Committee and the Asia-Pacific Regional Council of ASCO\, the Membership\, Education and Communications Committees of the IASLC. He has been elected as a Board Member of the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) for 2022-2024. He is also a founding executive committee member of the newly formed Asia Pacific Oncology Drug Development Network (APODDC). He is also a Board Member in the specialty of Medical Oncology in the Hong Kong College of Physicians. In his appointment as a Registration Committee member of Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong\, he helps oversee the registration of medicinal products and clinical trials in the territory. \nThank You to Our Sponsors!
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/updates-asco-2025/
CATEGORIES:Education,Webcast
ORGANIZER;CN="Sara Rothschild":MAILTO:srothschild@liferaftgroup.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250630T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250630T120000
DTSTAMP:20260405T191333
CREATED:20250516T163719Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250623T151652Z
UID:10000825-1751284800-1751284800@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:Navigating Financial Support & Medicare Changes
DESCRIPTION:The Life Raft Group is partnering with Jennifer Noonan of Accessia Health to present “Navigating Financial Support & Medicare Changes: What Patients Need to Know in 2025” to our patient and caregiver community on June 30th at 12PM ET. During this virtual presentation\, Ms. Noonan will cover key updates including the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (M3P)\, cost-sharing “smoothing\,” and how charitable financial assistance programs can support individuals navigating high out-of-pocket costs. Learn what these changes mean for patients and caregivers — and how to prepare for what’s ahead. A Q&A segment will follow Ms. Noonan’s 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. If you have questions or comments\, please reach out to rpauley@liferaftgroup.org. \nREGISTERAbout Our Presenter\n \nJennifer Noonan\nAccessia Heath \nJennifer Noonan\, Vice President of Clinical Strategy & Patient Engagement at Accessia Health\, is a dedicated healthcare professional with 25+ years of clinical nursing experience. Her vast clinical management background spans diverse healthcare settings\, showcasing her expertise in program design and service delivery under rigorous regulations. Her career began in emergency medicine in Louisville\, KY\, where she spent 17 years in leadership roles and contributing to EMR clinical development and implementation. Transitioning into hospice and palliative care in 2014\, Jennifer excelled in leadership positions for both adult and pediatric patients. A resolute academic\, Jennifer holds degrees from Kentucky State University and Western Governors University. She was appointed to the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy’s Board of Directors in September 2023. Beyond work\, she is a family-oriented martial arts enthusiast\, hiker\, and avid traveler. \nThank You to Our Sponsors!\n 
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/navigating-financial-support/
CATEGORIES:Education,Webcast
ORGANIZER;CN="Rebecca Pauley":MAILTO:rpauley@liferaftgroup.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250711T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250711T140000
DTSTAMP:20260405T191333
CREATED:20250513T130002Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250710T185244Z
UID:10000824-1752242400-1752242400@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:GIST Awareness Day Fireside Chat
DESCRIPTION:July 13th\, GIST Awareness Day\, is a time when GIST experts\, patients\, and caregivers come together to educate the public about this disease and advocate for finding a cure.  The Life Raft Group invites GIST patients and caregivers to celebrate GIST Awareness Day with us on July 11th at 2PM ET. During this virtual event\, esteemed GIST experts Dr. Sicklick of UCSD and Dr. Blakely and Dr. John Glod of the NIH will answer patient and caregiver questions in an informal chat. \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. If you have questions or comments\, please reach out to srothschild@liferaftgroup.org. \nREGISTERAbout Our Presenters\n \nDr. Jason Sicklick\nUCSD\, Moores Cancer Center \nJason Sicklick\, MD\, is an internationally recognized surgical oncologist who specializes in treating gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)\, abdominal/retroperitoneal sarcomas\, and liver tumors.He leader of the Sarcoma Disease Team and Co-leader of the Structural and Function Genomics Program at UC San Diego Health’s Moores Cancer Center. He is also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Committee and GIST Subcommittee\, which develops best practices for treating these rare and often challenging-to-treat cancers. \n \nDr. Andrew Blakely\nNational Cancer Institute (NCI) \nDr. Blakely completed a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering followed by medical school at Drexel University. He went on to general surgery residency at Brown University. During residency\, he spent two years of dedicated research time at the Center for Biomedical Engineering developing a device for tissue engineering applications. Dr. Blakely then completed his fellowship in Complex General Surgical Oncology at City of Hope National Medical Center. Dr. Blakely is currently a surgical oncologist specializing in peritoneal surface malignancies and soft tissue sarcomas. One of the primary focuses of his research includes improving surgical treatment and ex vivo tumor modeling of gastrointestinal stromal tumors. \n \nDr. John Glod\nNational Cancer Institute (NCI) \nDr. Glod obtained his M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in Denver and trained in pediatrics and pediatric oncology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital\, Johns Hopkins Hospital\, and the Pediatric Oncology Branch of the NCI.  Dr. Glod currently serves as the Clinical Director of the Pediatric Oncology Branch in the Center for Cancer Research at National Cancer Institute. Dr. Glod’s research interests are focused on early stage clinical trials for pediatric patients and rare pediatric solid tumors including multiple endocrine neoplasia-related medullary thyroid cancer\, SDH-deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumor\, and tumors of the central nervous system. \nThank You to Our Sponsors!\n 
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/gad-fireside-chat/
CATEGORIES:Education,Webcast
ORGANIZER;CN="Sara Rothschild":MAILTO:srothschild@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250812T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250812T120000
DTSTAMP:20260405T191333
CREATED:20250707T163827Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250707T193754Z
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SUMMARY:Making Cents of Caregiving
DESCRIPTION:The Life Raft Group is partnering with Al Berg of the AARP NJ Speakers Bureau to present “Making Cents of Caregiving” on August 12\, at 12PM ET. In this informative and educational session\, you will be introduced to essential information caregivers need to more easily manage the financial complexities of caregiving. Over the course of the presentation\, you will learn how to incorporate financial tips and resources into your caregiving. By the end of the session\, we hope you have the confidence to make your own financial plans for your loved one’s care and well-being. A question and answer 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. If you have questions or comments\, please reach out to rpauley@liferaftgroup.org. \nREGISTERAbout Our Presenters\n \nAl Berg\nAARP NJ Speakers Bureau \nAl Berg is a volunteer with the AARP NJ Speakers Bureau\, giving presentations on a variety of topics of interest to older Americans.  During the day\, Al heads up cybersecurity for a major entertainment company. When he is not fighting off hackers\, he is an EMT with the Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad and lives in Weehawken with his wife and a very spoiled cat. \nThank You to Our Sponsors!\n 
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/making-cents-of-caregiving/
CATEGORIES:Education,Webcast
ORGANIZER;CN="Rebecca Pauley":MAILTO:rpauley@liferaftgroup.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251110T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251110T140000
DTSTAMP:20260405T191333
CREATED:20250721T171140Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251015T155959Z
UID:10000846-1762783200-1762783200@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:ctDNA and the INSIGHT Study
DESCRIPTION:REGISTERThe Life Raft Group is partnering with Deciphera Pharmaceuticals and Dr. Jonathan Trent of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center to present “ctDNA and the INSIGHT Study” on November 10th at 2PM ET. During this virtual presentation\, Dr. Trent will explain how ctDNA works as a non-invasive method to monitor mutations and disease progression\, and how it may help personalize treatment strategies for GIST patients. \nDenisse Evans\, Sr. Director of Data Management & Research for the LRG\, will present the results and analysis of the LRG’s recent patient survey: Understanding Mutational and ctDNA Testing for patients in the U.S. She will highlight how patients currently access and understand testing\, key barriers to uptake\, and what these findings reveal about the real-world experiences of the GIST community. Denisse will also discuss how these insights can help shape future education\, advocacy\, and research efforts to ensure patients have the tools they need to make informed decisions about their care. \nA question-and-answer 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. If you have questions or comments\, please reach out to rpauley@liferaftgroup.org. \nAbout Our Presenters\n \nDr. Jonathan Trent\nSylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center \nJonathan Trent\, M.D.\, Ph.D. is a board‑certified oncologist\, professor of medicine\, and Associate Director for Clinical Research at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center\, University of Miami Health System. He serves as the Director of the Bone and Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Group and leads the Sarcoma Medical Oncology program\, with a focus on gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)\, chondrosarcoma\, synovial sarcoma\, and other rare sarcomas. \nDenisse Evans\, MS\nSenior Director\, Data Mgmt. & Research \nMs. Evans has a wealth of experience in clinical evaluation projects including development of protocols\, case report forms\, informed consent\, surveys\, tissue repositories\, and study initiation She is proficient in data management\, preparing research for publication\, drug development\, clinical trial protocols\, onco-pathological/genetical dissemination\, and formulating research premises. As the Senior Director of Data Management & Research\, Denisse is the principal investigator for study protocol design and strategy of Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO). She has expertise in the analysis\, reporting\, and dissemination of PRO data and present scientific work. \nShe leads a dedicated staff in both patient support and in the identification of data trends that may lead to actionable information that will help patients coping with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor. In addition\, she takes the lead in collaborative research initiatives\, including maintaining relationships with potential partners\, contributing ongoing data\, and supporting hypothesis generation with the goal of increasing patient survival and advancing GIST research. \nDenisse holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Rowan University\, and a Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University. \nThank You to Our Sponsor!
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/ctdna-and-the-insight-study/
CATEGORIES:Education,Webcast
ORGANIZER;CN="Rebecca Pauley":MAILTO:rpauley@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251203T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251203T120000
DTSTAMP:20260405T191333
CREATED:20251105T160426Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251105T160426Z
UID:10000922-1764763200-1764763200@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:Updates from CTOS 2025
DESCRIPTION:REGISTERThe CTOS Annual Meeting is the yearly conference of the Connective Tissue Oncology Society\, where global sarcoma experts share new research and clinical insights. The Life Raft Group is partnering with Dr. Pawel Sobczuk of Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology to present “GIST Updates from CTOS 2025” on December 3rd at 12 PM ET. During this virtual session\, Dr. Sobczuk will highlight key GIST-relevant findings presented at CTOS\, followed by a Q&A with attendees. \nAbout Our Presenter\n \nDr. Pawel Sobczuk\nVall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology\, Barcelona\, Spain \nPawel Sobczuk is a Polish medical oncologist and clinician-scientist with expertise in sarcoma and skin tumours. He currently works as a postdoctoral fellow at the Sarcoma Translational Research Group at Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology in Barcelona\, Spain. He is a Board member of the Polish Society of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Sobczuk is a member of the ESMO Young Oncologists Committee and ESMO Communication Committee.\nDr. Sobczuk completed his medical degree at the Medical University of Warsaw. Following his medical studies\, he undertook a residency in Medical Oncology at Maria-Sklodowska Curie National Research Institute of Oncology in Warsaw\, where he also completed his PhD in medical sciences in 2023. He has completed a scientific fellowship at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.\nHis research primarily focuses on translational studies in sarcoma\, with a primary interest in response to immunotherapy and novel mechanisms of resistance to kinase inhibitors in GIST. Dr Sobczuk is a co-principal investigator of the EFTISARC-NEO clinical trial evaluating a novel immunotherapy combination in the neoadjuvant treatment of patients with soft tissue sarcoma. He has published more than 40 peer-reviewed articles in indexed journals and presented results in numerous international meetings. He serves as a member of the editorial board of renewed journals such as JCO Precision Oncology and Cancer Control. \nThank You to Our Sponsors!
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/updates-from-ctos-2025/
CATEGORIES:Education,Webcast
ORGANIZER;CN="Rebecca Pauley":MAILTO:rpauley@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260413T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260413T120000
DTSTAMP:20260405T191333
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
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