The Life Raft Group

GDOL Washington, DC - Virtual
2022-04-27 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
GDOL DC is April 27th – 2pm-4pm ET
A GIST Day of Learning (GDOL) 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 has a simple focus: to cure a form of cancer — GIST — and to help those living with it until then. To do this, the Life Raft Group focuses on three key areas: research, patient support & education, and advocacy, which lay the foundation of our mission to ensure the survival of GIST patients through a comprehensive approach connecting individual patients’ needs, the worldwide community of GIST advocates and the global health and research environment.
If you have any questions, please contact Diana Nieves at dnieves@liferaftgroup.org
REGISTER

Rare Cancers: Great Unmet Medical Needs
2022-04-26 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1130 St. Nicholas Avenue, New York, NY, 10031, United States
This Symposium is Virtual and In-Person at Columbia University Irving Medical Center
The Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Jed Ian Taxel Foundation for Rare Cancer Research invite you to join them for “Rare Cancers: Great Unmet Medical Needs”, Tuesday, April 26, 2022. This CME conference is open to both the patient advocacy community and medical professionals. Leading experts in rare cancer medicine, research, public policy, and advocacy will share their insights at this hybrid event (on location and virtual). Patients & caregivers/patient advocates attend for free. Read more…

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
At least 1 in 8 cancers diagnosed in adults are considered rare cancers. By definition rare cancers are ones with a prevalence of < 200,000 cases per year in the United States. This means that well over 200,000 patients are diagnosed with rare cancers each year in this country. If one excludes the most common types of cancers such as breast, lung, colon and prostate cancer the remaining cancers are particularly rare and this number is much higher. In fact, rare cancers could represent up to a third of all cancers diagnosed each year. Therefore, “rare cancers” represent a major health care problem in the United States and around the world. Despite the relative frequency of these cancers they are poorly understood, infrequently studied, and do not receive the type of funding seen in the more common tumor types. The symposium is designed to focus on specific types of rare cancers with the goal of developing new treatment paradigms based on an improved understanding of the molecular biology of this heterogeneous group of disease.
At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be better able to:

Define rare cancers and its heterogeneity
Discuss the current approaches used to treat this range of diseases
Identify the tumor biology of rare cancers and how this could impact future therapeutic directions in cancer therapy
Propose future directions in cancer medicine for these rare cancers
Delineate a blueprint for investing resources in the treatment and cure of rare cancer

One CME credit is available for medical professionals, and the deadline for Abstracts is April 1st. All information is available in the brochure from the link below.
REGISTER

MEETING LOCATION
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
1130 St. Nicholas Avenue, First Floor, New York, NY 10032
Parking is available at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center parking lot, located on the southwest corner of Fort Washington Avenue and West 165th Street.

Event Brochure/Agenda PDF

Virtual Caregiver Support Group
2022-04-20 13:00 - 14:00, 2022-04-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2022-03-16 13:00 - 14:00, 2022-03-02 13:00 - 14:00, 2022-02-16 13:00 - 14:00, 2022-02-02 13:00 - 14:00, 2022-01-19 13:00 - 14:00, 2022-01-05 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
A Bi-Weekly Virtual Support Group for GIST Caregivers
Held on the first & third Wednesdays of the month
As we continue to navigate this uncertain time together, we want to offer you a little extra support. LRG has a twice monthly support group for the caregivers facilitated by Marlene Nei, GIST Caregiver. To continue social distancing and connecting with caregivers across the United States, we will use an electronic platform to gather as a group. We will talk about all the feelings you might be experiencing, both in relation to GIST, and COVID-19.
We will share our stories, if you are comfortable, and speak freely about the new fears and anxieties we might be feeling because of this unprecedented time. 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 to get us through this stressful time. All information shared will be kept confidential. Contact Diana Nieves at dnieves@liferaftgroup.org for more information.

Please email Diana Nieves at dnieves@liferaftgroup.org to join this 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.

GIST DO IT Walk - Verona, NJ
2022-04-09 08:00 (America/New_York) | Verona Park, Verona, NJ, Verona, NJ
Join GISTers, family & friends, and the LRG Staff for this beautiful walk around Verona Park as we walk in memory of GISTer Ted Wolf and to raise funds for #GISTresearch! Register today. $35 registration fee includes a free GIST DO IT t-shirt. Meet at the park at 8am.
If you can’t be present for the walk, you can donate to #GISTresearch with the link below also.
REGISTERInterested in Sponsorship Opportunities?
Contact Jess Nowak, jnowak@liferaftgroup.org
Event Sponsor – $25,000
Company logo displayed on event signage, on the LRG website, & in the LRG newsletter
Company logo displayed on Step & Repeat
Thank you from LRG Senior Vice President at event
Ability to place item/flyer (provided by sponsor) in Swag Bag
Table at event
5 registrations, 5 t-shirts, and 5 masks
Platinum Sponsor – $20,000
Company logo displayed on event signage, on the LRG website, & in the LRG newsletter
Thank you from LRG Senior Vice President at event
Ability to place item/flyer (provided by sponsor) in Swag Bag
Table at event
4 registrations, 4 t-shirts, and 4 masks
Gold Sponsor – $15,000
Company logo displayed on event signage, on the LRG website, & in the LRG newsletter
Thank you from LRG Senior Vice President at event
Ability to place item/flyer (provided by sponsor) in Swag Bag
Table at event
3 registrations, 3 t-shirts, and 3 masks
Silver Sponsor – $10,000
Company name displayed on event signage, on the LRG website, & in theLRG newsletter
Thank you from LRG Senior Vice President at event
Ability to place item/flyer (provided by sponsor) in Swag Bag
Table at event
2 registrations, 2 t-shirts, and 2 masks
Bronze Sponsor – $5,000
Company name displayed on event signage, on the LRG website, & in the LRG newsletter
Thank you from LRG Senior Vice President at event
1 registrations, 1 t-shirts, and 1 masks

Be an Informed Patient, Part 2: GIST
2022-04-06 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Be an Informed Patient, Part 2: Navigating GIST NCCN Guidelines
In Part Two of our “Be an Informed Patient” series, The Life Raft Group invites all GIST patients and caregivers to register for our NCCN Webinar taking place on April 6th at 12:00 pm ET. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) creates guidelines for different diseases to guide physicians in their clinical practice. Dr. Margaret von Mehren serves as the Chair of the sarcoma NCCN guidelines and has been a valuable player along with her medical colleagues on the evolution of the GIST guidelines over the years. In this webinar, Dr. von Mehren will educate GIST patients and caregivers about these guidelines and provide some case study examples of how guidelines fit into the rubric of patient care. The Life Raft Group will also share insights on real world experiences among the patient community with the guidelines.
REGISTERAbout our presenters:
Margaret von Mehren, MD
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Dr. Margaret von Mehren is Chief of Division of Sarcoma Medical Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center. Her research interest focuses in developmental therapeutics for sarcomas and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. She has led investigator-initiated trials, collaborated with other investigators, sarcoma clinical trials group, as well as industry sponsored studies in the testing of novel agents in these rare diseases. Collaboration with the Phase I program and basic scientists at Fox Chase Cancer Center and elsewhere is key to identifying potential novel agents which may have a therapeutic benefit in the treatment of sarcomas. Dr. von Mehren’s work in sarcoma therapeutic development informs her role as the Associate Director of Clinical Research, in which she oversees the development of investigator initiated clinical trials, the scientific review and prioritization process of trials as well as conduct of clinical trials at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

Denisse Montoya, MS
Senior Director, Data Mgmt. & Research, The Life Raft Group
Ms. Montoya 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.
She 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.
Denisse holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Rowan University, and a Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University

Virtual GISTer Support Group
2022-04-05 18:00 - 19:30, 2022-03-01 18:00 - 19:30, 2022-02-01 18:00 - 19:30, 2022-01-04 18:00 - 19:30, 2021-12-07 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
The group will meet via Zoom on the first Tuesday of each month from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM EST (NYC Time).
The group open to those who have not been able to participate in the past, for one reason or another. 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 be to participate.
Contact Diana Nieves to join: dnieves@liferaftgroup.org

GDOL North Carolina - Virtual
2022-03-24 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
GDOL North Carolina is March 24th – 7pm-9pm ET
A GIST Day of Learning (GDOL) 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 has a simple focus: to cure a form of cancer — GIST — and to help those living with it until then. To do this, the Life Raft Group focuses on three key areas: research, patient support & education, and advocacy, which lay the foundation of our mission to ensure the survival of GIST patients through a comprehensive approach connecting individual patients’ needs, the worldwide community of GIST advocates and the global health and research environment.
If you have any questions, please contact Diana Nieves at dnieves@liferaftgroup.org
REGISTER

GDOL Tennessee - Virtual
2022-02-25 14:00 (America/Chicago)
GDOL Nashville Virtual is February 25th, 2022, 2pm to 4pm CT/ 3pm to 5pm ET
A GIST Day of Learning (GDOL) 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 has a simple focus: to cure a form of cancer — GIST — and to help those living with it until then. To do this, the Life Raft Group focuses on three key areas: research, patient support & education, and advocacy, which lay the foundation of our mission to ensure the survival of GIST patients through a comprehensive approach connecting individual patients’ needs, the worldwide community of GIST advocates and the global health and research environment.
If you have any questions, please contact Diana Nieves at dnieves@liferaftgroup.org
REGISTER
Thank you to our GDOL Sponsors:

Be an Informed Patient
2022-02-22 12:00 (America/New_York)
Navigating Survivorship Care
February 22 at 12pm ET
The Life Raft Group invites cancer patients and survivors and their caregivers to register for a webinar taking place on February 22, 2022. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has created guidelines specifically for patients and caregivers to help them navigate survivorship care. During this webinar, NCCN’s Dr. Crystal Denlinger and Dottie Shead will review general principles of appropriate survivorship care and how to access and understand patient guidelines related to survivorship care, so that all can ensure they are getting the appropriate care as cancer survivors.
REGISTERAbout the Presenters

Dr. Crystal Denlinger
Senior Vice President, National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Crystal Denlinger joined the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) as Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer in April 2021. She oversees NCCN’s Oncology Research Program and the Drugs & Biologics and Biomarkers Compendia, and provides
input into NCCN’s other programs. Prior to joining NCCN, Dr. Denlinger was an Associate Professor of Hematology/Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center. In this capacity, she served as the Chief of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology where she managed the program’s clinical and research efforts, the Deputy Director of the Early Phase Drug Development Program, and Co-Director of the Survivorship Program.
Dr. Denlinger is a graduate of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and The College of New Jersey, where she earned her medical degree and bachelors of science. She completed her internal medicine residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and her fellowship in hematology/oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center/Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology.
Dr. Denlinger is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (ACP) and a member of several medical societies, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO). She has an extensive lecture and publication history, with clinical and research interests including gastrointestinal cancers, early phase drug development, and cancer survivorship.

Dottie Shead
Senior Director of Patient Information, National Comprehensive Cancer Network
In this role, Ms. Shead is responsible for production of the NCCN Guidelines for Patients. She monitors and maintains tracking schedules representing the status of the NCCN Guidelines for Patients in the development process and web publication. In addition, Ms. Shead oversees the production of NCCN Programs affiliated with the NCCN Guidelines for Patients, including the NCCN Know What Your Doctors Know Webinar series and NCCN Animations for Patients.
Ms. Shead joined NCCN in 2000 and served as a Guideline Coordinator responsible for the development, update and publication of assigned NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines. Dottie has a Master’s degree in Health Administration from St. Joseph’s University, and a B.S. in Biology from Arcadia University.

Let's Get to the GIST of It Series: Qinlock
2022-02-05 12:00 (America/New_York)
The Life Raft Group is excited to share our second segment of “Let’s Get the GIST of It”.
In this information session, we will be discussing Qinlock (ripretinib). During this recurring online event, patients and caregivers can participate and share their overall experiences (good or bad) with this treatment. The goal of this initiative is to discuss key topics that will provide patients and caregivers with insight about Qinlock (ripretinib).
We will discuss topics like side effects, dosages, and support. You will also have the opportunity to interact and connect with patients/caregivers like you, that are taking the same drug or experiencing the same side effects.
This information session is open to anyone who has taken, is taking, or will be taking Qinlock/ripretinib. We also welcome patients and caregivers who just want more information regarding this drug. Big or small, all input is important and we would love for you to be part of this program.
If you or a loved one is looking to learn more about Qinlock (ripretinib), please register for this event using the button below
Date: Feb. 5th
Time: 12pm ET
If you have any questions, please contact dmontoya@liferaftgroup.org
REGISTER

GDOL Arizona - Virtual
2022-01-27 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Phoenix)
GDOL Arizona Virtual is January 27th, 2pm – 4pm MT/4pm – 6pm ET
A GIST Day of Learning (GDOL) 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 has a simple focus: to cure a form of cancer — GIST — and to help those living with it until then. To do this, the Life Raft Group focuses on three key areas: research, patient support & education, and advocacy, which lay the foundation of our mission to ensure the survival of GIST patients through a comprehensive approach connecting individual patients’ needs, the worldwide community of GIST advocates and the global health and research environment.
If you have any questions, please contact Diana Nieves at dnieves@liferaftgroup.org
REGISTERThank you to our sponsors for this event:

The Value of Biomarker Testing: Case Studies
2022-01-06 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Case Studies Across Multiple Institutions
Understanding the role of mutations and biomarker testing in GIST is one of most important things that GIST patients need to learn. Knowing the driving force behind each individual’s tumors is not just important, it is critical. In this webinar, you will hear case study presentations from three top sarcoma institutions that demonstrate the value of biomarker testing. A Question & Answer session will follow the presentations.
REGISTERPresenters:
Prapassorn Thirasastr, MD, MSc
Post doctorate Fellow
Sarcoma Medical Oncology Department
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas
Dr. Thirasastr graduated from faculty of medicine, Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. She had trained at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand for 6 years and received board certification in both Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. Also, she had awarded a Higher Graduate Diploma of Clinical Sciences and Master of Sciences degree from Chulalongkorn University in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Dr. Thirasastr had practiced as a medical oncologist in Thailand for 2 years before joining post-doctoral research program in MD Anderson Cancer Center under Dr. Neeta Somaiah, an Associate Professor of Sarcoma Medical Oncology and Deputy Chair in Division of Cancer Medicine at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, as her Mentor.Currently her researches focus on sarcoma, especially liposarcoma, and GISTs and she has engaged in both clinical and basic science research projects.

Steven Bialick, DO
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami
Steve Bialick, DO is a second-year hematology/oncology fellow at Jackson Memorial Hospital and the University of Miami/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami, FL.  He completed his internal medicine residency within the University of Pennsylvania Health System before working as a hematologic malignancy hospitalist at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA.  He is now completing his oncology training with a focus on solid tumor malignancies, specifically soft tissue and bone sarcomas.  His research interests include hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes, circulating tumor DNA and its role in guiding targeted therapies, and the role of DNA damage repair pathways in sarcomas.

Dr. Dixon Dorand, MD, PhD
Clinical Fellow
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Dr. R. Dixon Dorand, Jr., MD, PhD completed his graduate studies at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. His research with Dr. Alex Huang, MD, PhD at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital focused on understanding the mechanisms regulating immune therapy in adolescent and young adult cancers. Specifically, he investigated the signaling pathways that alter gene expression involved in regulating responses to immune checkpoint therapy as well as the role of nanoparticles for drug delivery. After graduation, he enrolled in the Physician Scientist Training Program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he completed his internal medicine residency training.
Dr. Dorand is currently completing his medical oncology fellowship in the Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology of Cancer program at Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center (VICC). He works in the laboratory of Dr. Ben H. Park, MD, PhD where he uses a basic science approach to interrogate how mutations that regulate genetic machinery can be manipulated for therapeutic benefit. He also uses genetic profiling to determine which tumor mutations contribute to chemotherapy resistance in sarcomas. Clinically, he collaborates with Dr. Elizabeth Davis, MD & Dr. Vicki Keedy, MD at VICC to characterize mutations in patient tumor samples in GIST and other sarcoma types that may provide new therapeutic targets. He hopes to pursue a career focused on GIST and other soft tissue & bone sarcomas once he completes his formal training.

Virtual Caregiver Support Group
2021-12-15 13:00 - 14:00, 2021-12-01 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Bi-Weekly Support Group for GIST Caregivers.
Held first & third Wednesdays of the month
As we continue to navigate this uncertain time together, we want to offer you a little extra support. LRG has a twice monthly support group for the caregivers facilitated by Marlene Nei, GIST Caregiver. To continue social distancing and connecting with caregivers across the United States, we will use an electronic platform to gather as a group. We will talk about all the feelings you might be experiencing, both in relation to GIST, and COVID-19.
We will share our stories, if you are comfortable, and speak freely about the new fears and anxieties we might be feeling because of this unprecedented time. 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 to get us through this stressful time. All information shared will be kept confidential. Contact Diana Nieves at dnieves@liferaftgroup.org for more information.

Please email Diana Nieves at dnieves@liferaftgroup.org to join this 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.

GDOL Pittsburgh - Virtual
2021-12-11 10:00 (America/New_York)
A GIST Day of Learning (GDOL) 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 has a simple focus: to cure a form of cancer — GIST — and to help those living with it until then. To do this, the Life Raft Group focuses on three key areas: research, patient support & education, and advocacy, which lay the foundation of our mission to ensure the survival of GIST patients through a comprehensive approach connecting individual patients’ needs, the worldwide community of GIST advocates and the global health and research environment.
If you have any questions, please contact Diana Nieves at dnieves@liferaftgroup.org
REGISTERThank you to our sponsors for this event:

New Member Orientation - Virtual
2021-12-02 12:00, 2021-12-02 08:00 (America/New_York)
This meeting will take place at 8am & 12pm ET every 1st Thursday.
Are you a new LRG member and looking for guidance on all the things the Life Raft Group has to offer? Join us for a virtual orientation to hear from staff about our services and have the opportunity to ask questions and meet other new members.
Sign Up For Meeting Date

GISTLearn Online - GIST Sarcoma Life Raft Group Canada
2021-11-20 14:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)
GIST Sarcoma Life Raft Group Canada (LRGC) is pleased to invite you to register for our “GIST LEARN Online” virtual meeting on Saturday, November 20, 2021. The Annual General Meeting meeting will be held at the beginning of the videoconference.
For the past thirteen years, Life Raft Group Canada has been hosting GIST patient and caregiver meetings to provide support and education for those living with GIST. These events are open to GIST patients, caregivers, family members, friends, healthcare providers, and anyone who wishes to learn more about GIST.
LRGC Annual General Meeting
LRGC members have already been notified about our AGM. Everyone attending the November 20th GIST LEARN Online, is also welcome to attend the AGM portion of the meeting, although only LRGC members can participate in the voting procedures. Again this year, voting at the AGM will be conducted using Zoom polling.
New Horizons GIST 2021 Conference
The New Horizons GIST conferences traditionally focus on large annual meetings gathering over 50 representatives from 30 countries to discuss critical information that impacts the global GIST patient and medical communities.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact LRGC at malcolm.sutherland@liferaftgroup.ca
REGISTERSpeakers
Joanna Przybyl, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, McGill University
Principal Investigator, Cancer Research Program, Research Institute – McGill University Health Centre
David Josephy, PhD
President, GIST Sarcoma Life Raft Group Canada
Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology, retired.
David has been involved with GIST for the past 20+ years
Hazel McLeod
Director, GIST Sarcoma Life Raft Group Canada.
Since 2018, Hazel has been leading roundtable discussions
with GIST patients and caregivers across Canada

Immunotherapy and GIST
2021-11-18 13:00 - 14:15 (America/New_York)
As the landscape of GIST treatment continues to evolve, the area of immunotherapy has grown interest. GIST contains tumor-infiltrating immune cells which opens the possibility to the rationale for immunotherapy treatments. This webinar will provide an overview of immunotherapy with some examples of studies exploring single agent versus combination of therapy in GIST.

If you have questions about this presentation
or about registration, please contact:
Sara Rothschild, VP Program Services, srothschild@liferaftgroup.org
REGISTEROur Presenters

Jonathan Trent, MD
Director, Sarcoma Oncology
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Miami, Florida
Dr. Trent is currently the Associate Director for Clinical Research, the Director of the Bone and Soft-tissue Sarcoma Group at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Trent’s interests are in the clinical and translational research of sarcomas, direct care of sarcoma patients, and education about sarcoma. As Associate Director for Clinical Research, his goal is to help Sylvester Faculty develop clinical trials that provide clinically effective and scientifically exciting therapy to cancer patients of South Florida and beyond. The major focus of his clinical, educational and research efforts are with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), chondrosarcoma, and other sarcomas. The major efforts of Dr. Trent’s research focus on understanding the mechanisms of action and resistance of imatinib in GIST and other sarcomas while striving toward improved therapeutic options. His work involves the use of novel preoperative/postoperative clinical trials, prospectively acquired tumor tissue, cell lines, archival tissue, as well as collaborations with disciplines such as the genomics facility, surgical oncology, pathology, radiology and interventional radiology.
Junaid Arshad, MD
Assistant Professor & Clinical Scholar
University of Arizona Cancer Center
Tucson, Arizona

Dr. Arshad finished his medical degree from King Edward Medical University, Lahore Pakistan. He relocated to the United States in 2013 and worked as a research volunteer at Wayne State University, Detroit. After completing his internal medicine residency training from St. Mary’s Hospital Waterbury, CT, he moved to University of Miami for his hematology and medical oncology fellowship.
Dr. Arshad developed interest in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) after working with Dr. Jonathan Trent who was also his mentor at the University of Miami. Dr. Arshad has published several peer reviewed publications focusing on the use of ctDNA in GIST. Currently Dr. Arshad is working as an Assistant Professor at University of Arizona Cancer Center in the field of GI Medical Oncology focusing on the GIST and Upper GI cancers.
Arun Singh, MD
Oncologist, Sarcoma and Connective Tissue Medical Oncology
University of California Los Angeles Medical Center
San Monica, California

Dr. Singh is an associate professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine UCLA. Dr Singh is a hematologist and medical oncologist whose practice focuses on the treatment of bone and soft tissue sarcomas. Dr Singh’s research focus is on developing novel therapies for patients with sarcomas. In the preclinical setting, he works on elucidating the mechanisms contributing to the promotion of growth in cancer cells and optimizing the use of targeted therapy in specific sarcoma subtypes. The insights gained from these efforts are then translated into the clinic in the form of new drugs in early stage phase 1 and 2 clinical trials for sarcomas where there is an unmet clinical need.
Ronald DeMatteo, MD, FACS
Surgeon, Endocrinology and Oncology
Penn Medicine
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dr. DeMatteo is the Chairman of the Department of Surgery and a Surgical Oncologist who specializes in treating diseases of the liver, bile duct, gallbladder, pancreas and abdominal sarcomas (GIST). His clinical research has focused on liver, bile duct, gallbladder, and pancreas cancers. In addition, he has led several national trials testing the benefit of imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) following surgery for gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), a tumor that usually begins in the stomach or intestine. In the laboratory he and his colleagues study the immune environment of the liver and tumor immunology, working to develop immune therapies to help prevent tumors from returning after surgery.
Thank you to our sponsors!
