The Life Raft Group

Virtual GIST Patient Support Group
2024-10-01 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-11-05 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-12-03 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
The Patient Support Group meets via Zoom on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM ET (NYC Time).
We will start each group with a “Round Robin” in which anyone who feels like updating the group on how they are doing/feeling can do so. There is no pressure to speak if you prefer to simply listen. Once we complete our updates, the group will have the opportunity for organic conversation to develop in relation to our emotional experiences around GIST, and other challenges that we may be experiencing as a community.
In order to be able to moderate a flowing discussion, the group will be capped at 15 people each month. The first 15 people into the Zoom waiting room will participate. Keep in mind that since the group is now open, you don’t necessarily have to attend each month to participate.
Contact Brian Morello to join: bmorello@liferaftgroup.org

Virtual GIST Caregiver Support Group
2024-10-02 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Monthly Virtual Support Group for GIST Caregivers
Held on the first Wednesday of the month
LRG hosts a monthly virtual support group for the caregivers. We will share our stories, if you are comfortable, and speak freely about the new fears and anxieties we might be feeling during this journey as a caregiver. The group will be a safe space not only to feel supported by your fellow caregivers, but also a place to share our own coping mechanisms, concerns, successes and trials. All information shared will be kept confidential.
Contact Brian Morello to join: bmorello@liferaftgroup.org
About the Group Leader:
Marlene Nei, GIST Caregiver
As an active member of The Life Raft Group, Marlene advocates for the needs of the caregiver community because she feels they are an underrepresented group. It is her mission to advocate for the entire GIST community making sure they are equipped with the appropriate resources on their GIST journey.

IDRX-42: Trial Design & Emerging Data from StrateGIST 1
2024-10-07 13:00 (America/New_York)
The Life Raft Group invites you to “IDRX-42: Trial Design and Emerging Data from the StrateGIST 1 Study”, on October 7th, 2024 at 1PM ET. During this educational webinar, Suzanne George, MD of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute will review emerging data from the first-in-human StrateGIST 1 trial of IDRX-42 in patients with advanced GIST. Dr. George will also discuss the design and rationale for the ongoing Phase 1b portion of the trial, including first- and second-line cohorts. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.

Please email srothschild@liferaftgroup.org to submit a question ahead of the presentation.

Please note that this webinar is not a substitute for your physician’s guidance and care.
REGISTERAbout Our Presenter

Dr. Suzanne George
Sarcoma Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Suzanne George, MD is the Division Chief of the Sarcoma Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute who 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.
Thank you to our Webinar Sponsor!

Virtual Florida Support Group
2024-10-14 18:00 (America/New_York)
Florida Support Group
Zoom, 2nd Monday of the Month – 6pm ET
Our moderator is a fellow GISTER/LRG Member from Florida diagnosed with GIST in late 2016.
If you wish to attend, please email Brian Morello: bmorello@liferaftgroup.org for the Zoom link for the meeting.

Virtual GIST Patient Support Group
2024-10-15 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-11-19 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-12-17 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-01-21 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-02-18 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
The Patient Support Group meets via Zoom on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM ET (NYC Time).
We will start each group with a “Round Robin” in which anyone who feels like updating the group on how they are doing/feeling can do so. There is no pressure to speak if you prefer to simply listen. Once we complete our updates, the group will have the opportunity for organic conversation to develop in relation to our emotional experiences around GIST, and other challenges that we may be experiencing as a community.
In order to be able to moderate a flowing discussion, the group will be capped at 15 people each month. The first 15 people into the Zoom waiting room will participate. Keep in mind that since the group is now open, you don’t necessarily have to attend each month to participate.
If you wish to attend, please email supportgroups@liferaftgroup.org

Virtual Texas Support Group
2024-10-28 18:00, 2024-11-25 18:00, 2024-12-23 18:00, 2025-01-27 18:00, 2025-02-24 18:00 (America/Chicago)
Texas Support Group Zoom meeting on the 4th Monday of the month @ 6PM Central Time. Jackie Vanderpol will host this zoom meeting.
If you wish to attend, please email supportgroups@liferaftgroup.org for the Zoom link for the meeting.

GDOL Miami Virtual
2024-10-30
GDOL Miami is being held virtually with the GIST experts at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
REGISTERWhat is a GDOL?
A 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.
The 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.
If you have any questions, please contact Brian Morello at bmorello@liferaftgroup.org
Click Image for a PDF of the Agenda

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Virtual GIST Caregiver Support Group
2024-11-06 08:00 - 17:00, 2024-11-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-12-04 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-01-01 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-02-05 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Monthly Virtual Support Group for GIST Caregivers
Held on the first Wednesday of the month
LRG hosts a monthly virtual support group for the caregivers. We will share our stories, if you are comfortable, and speak freely about the new fears and anxieties we might be feeling during this journey as a caregiver. The group will be a safe space not only to feel supported by your fellow caregivers, but also a place to share our own coping mechanisms, concerns, successes and trials. All information shared will be kept confidential.
If you wish to attend, please email supportgroups@liferaftgroup.org for the Zoom link for the meeting.
About the Group Leader:
Marlene Nei, GIST Caregiver
As an active member of The Life Raft Group, Marlene advocates for the needs of the caregiver community because she feels they are an underrepresented group. It is her mission to advocate for the entire GIST community making sure they are equipped with the appropriate resources on their GIST journey.

Know Your Mutation: Why is Biomarker Testing Important in GIST?
2024-11-06 13:00 (America/New_York)
The Life Raft Group invites you to “Know Your Mutation: Why is Biomarker Testing Important in GIST?”, on November 6th, 2024 at 1PM ET. During this educational webinar, Michelle Harris and Calvin Chao of Tempus will discuss the importance of biomarker testing in GIST, the process of biomarker testing, how to get testing done for free through the LRG, and more. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.

Please email srothschild@liferaftgroup.org to submit a question ahead of the presentation.

Please note that this webinar is not a substitute for your physician’s guidance and care.
REGISTERAbout Our Presenters

Dr. Calvin Chao
Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs, Tempus
Previously, Dr. Chao spent thirteen years leading studies and education for the Oncotype DX Breast, Prostate, and Colon Cancer assays at Genomic Health, later acquired by Exact Sciences. Prior to that role, he worked in various bio-pharmaceutical medical director positions at Onyx Pharmaceuticals, PDL BioPharma, TAP Pharmaceuticals, and SmithKline Beecham.
In his early career, Dr. Chao practiced as a board-certified internist and hospitalist at Kaiser Permanente in California for ten years. He earned his MD from the University of Texas Medical Branch, completed his medical residency at Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, received his MBA from St. Mary’s College, California, and his BS in Chemical Engineering from University of California, Berkeley.

Michelle Harris
Senior Director Medical Affairs, Tempus AI
Michelle has worked in the oncology space for almost 20 years in research, development and medical affairs. She has been at Tempus AI for 2&1/2 years leading the field medical liaison team, who work with physicians on research and education. Prior to Tempus, Michelle worked in solid tumor drug development and clinical trials at Novartis and Gilead Sciences.
Thank you to our Webinar Sponsors!

GDOL North Carolina Virtual
2024-11-06 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
GDOL North Carolina is being held virtually Nov 6th, 3-5 pm ET at Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
REGISTERWhat is a GDOL?
A 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.
The 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.
If you have any questions, please contact Brian Morello at bmorello@liferaftgroup.org
Click Image for a PDF of the Agenda

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Virtual Florida Support Group
2024-11-11 18:00, 2024-12-09 18:00, 2025-01-13 18:00, 2025-02-10 18:00 (America/New_York)
Florida Support Group
Zoom, 2nd Monday of the Month – 6pm ET
Our moderator is a fellow GISTER/LRG Member from Florida diagnosed with GIST in late 2016.
If you wish to attend, please email supportgroups@liferaftgroup.org for the Zoom link for the meeting.

Updates from CTOS
2024-11-25 12:00 (America/New_York)
The Life Raft Group is partnering with Dr. Thierry Alcindor of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to present “GIST Updates from CTOS 2024” to GIST patients and caregivers on November 25th at 12pm ET. During this virtual presentation, Dr. Alcindor will discuss scientific updates relevant to GIST patients that were exhibited at the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) conference. A Q&A segment followed Dr. Alcindor’s presentation.

Please email srothschild@liferaftgroup.org to submit a question ahead of the presentation.

Please note that this webinar is not a substitute for your physician’s guidance and care.
REGISTERAbout Our Presenter

Dr. Thierry Alcindor
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dr. Alcindor earned his medical degree at the State University of Haiti and a Master of Science degree at the University of Oxford. He trained in Internal Medicine and Hematology/Oncology at Yale-New Haven Medical Center and Tufts-New England Medical Center, respectively. Previously at McGill University, he is now a Senior Physician and medical oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, affiliated with Harvard Medical School. His interests cover treatment and investigation of sarcomas, including gastro-intestinal stromal tumors (GIST).
Thank you to our Webinar Sponsors!

Exploring The SARC044 Trial
2025-01-08 14:30 (America/New_York)
The Life Raft Group invites you to “Exploring The SARC044 Trial: Key Details & What The GIST Community Can Gain From The Study” on January 8th, 2024 at 2:30PM ET. Dr. Candace Haddox, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, will present an overview of the Phase II SARC044 Clinical Trial. This currently recruiting study tests the investigational use of bezuclastinib in combination with sunitinib in patients with GIST. Webinar participants will learn about the SARC044 study, including eligibility, site locations, and study rationale. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
REGISTERAbout Our Presenter

Dr. Candace Haddox
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dr. Candace Haddox is an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and a medical oncologist and clinical/translational investigator in the Sarcoma Center and the Center for Cancer Therapeutic Innovation at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Dr. Haddox’s research focuses on developing novel therapies rooted in sarcoma biology and determining mechanisms of treatment response and resistance, particularly in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).
Dr. Haddox received her Bachelor of Science in neurobiology from the University of Miami. She completed a post-baccalaureate research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health and received her Medical Degree from the University of South Florida. Dr. Haddox completed a residency in Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and a fellowship in Medical Oncology at Duke University, where she also served as Chief Fellow. She joined the faculty at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in 2021, where she currently sees patients with sarcomas and leads clinical trials in early drug development.
