Virtual Florida Support Group
2023-11-13 18:00, 2023-12-11 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 Diana Nieves: dnieves@liferaftgroup.org for the Zoom link for the meeting.

GIST Day of Learning – Michigan
2023-11-17 15:00 - 17:30
The Life Raft Group’s GIST Day of Learning (GDOL) Michigan is a free, virtual event for patients, families, and our community to learn from a panel of Rogel Cancer Center at University of Michigan Health experts more about this rare cancer, find support, and enhance your knowledge base to help you navigate the GIST journey. Friday, Nov. 17, 3-5:30PM ET.
REGISTERClick image for a PDF of the Agenda:

What 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 mission of the Life Raft Group is to enhance survival and quality of life for people living with GIST through patient-powered research, education and empowerment, and global advocacy efforts. The LRG vision is to champion patient-powered science and drastically increase long-term survivorship for all cancer patients. To accomplish this, we rely on four key pillars:
– Leverage the patient perspective to drive innovative solutions in cancer research
– Educate and empower patients to take a larger role in their care
– Accelerate research outcomes through collaborative efforts
– Increase access to effective treatments worldwide
Thank you to our 2023 GDOL Sponsors!

Virtual GIST Patient Support Group
2023-11-21 18:00 - 19:30, 2023-12-19 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-01-16 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-02-20 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-03-19 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-04-16 18:00 - 19:30
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

GIST Updates from CTOS
2023-11-27 17:00
The Life Raft Group is partnering with Dr. Herbert Loong of the Chinese University of Hong Kong to present “GIST Updates from CTOS 2023” to GIST patients and caregivers on November 27th at 5pm ET. During this virtual presentation, Dr. Loong will discuss scientific updates relevant to GIST patients that were exhibited at the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) conference. A Q&A segment will follow Dr. Loong’s presentation.
REGISTERAbout Our Presenter
Herbert H. Loong, MD
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dr. 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.
Dr. Loong obtained his medical degree with a Distinction in Surgery from The University of Hong Kong in 2003. He has completed a Fellowship in Drug Development at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Canada with a special focus on Experimental Therapeutics. His clinical and research interests also include Sarcoma Medical Oncology, Thoracic Oncology and Health Economics. He is a recipient of the European Cancer Congress Fellowship Grant (2013), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting Merit Award (2014), the Hong Kong College of Physicians Young Investigators’ Award (2014). Nominated by patients and their caregivers, Dr. Loong led the Lung Cancer Team at CUHK to be bestowed the IASLC Foundation Cancer Care Team Award in recognition for providing the best thoracic oncology care in “Asia & Rest of the World” in 2018.
Dr. 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.
Thank you to our 2023 Webinar Sponsors!

Virtual GIST Patient Support Group
2023-12-05 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-01-02 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-02-06 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-03-05 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-04-02 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-05-07 18:00 - 19:30
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
2023-12-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-01-03 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-02-07 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-03-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-04-03 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-05-01 13:00 - 14:00
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.

Matching Biomarkers to Disease Biology & Therapy
2023-12-07 13:00
The Life Raft Group is partnering with Dr. Jason Sicklick of UC San Diego Health’s Moores Cancer Center to present “Matching Biomarker to Biology and Therapy” for the GIST community on December 7th, 2023 at 1:00 PM ET. During this virtual presentation, Dr. Sicklick will discuss the importance of biomarker testing and research that correlates the biology of GIST with treatment. A Q&A session will follow the presentations.
Please note that this webinar is not a substitute for your physician’s guidance and care.
REGISTERAbout Our Presenters
Dr. Jason Sicklick
Moores Cancer Center, US San Diego Health
Dr. Sicklick is an internationally recognized surgical oncologist who specializes in treating gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), abdominal/retroperitoneal sarcomas, and liver tumors.
He is a champion of innovation and collaboration to improve outcomes for cancer patients. 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. Dr. Sicklick 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.
As professor of surgery and pharmacology at UC San Diego School of Medicine, Dr. Sicklick conducts basic, translational and clinical research to improve our understanding of GIST, as well as to enhance precision medicine approaches for treating metastatic cancers. His laboratory focuses on the molecular mechanisms of GIST development and drug resistance.
Thank you to our 2023 Webinar Sponsors!

Florida Support Group - Special Date
2024-01-15 18:00
Florida Support Group
Special date for January 2024 – 6pm ET
Goes back to regular schedule in February of 2nd Monday of each month.

Our moderator is a fellow GISTER/LRG Member from Florida diagnosed with GIST in late 2016.
If you wish to attend, please email Diana Nieves: dnieves@liferaftgroup.org for the Zoom link for the meeting.

Virtual Florida Support Group
2024-02-12 18:00, 2024-03-11 18:00, 2024-04-08 18:00
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.

GIST Leaping into Clinical Trials
2024-02-29 13:00
REGISTER
Join us as we leap into the world of GIST clinical trials. In this session of our ‘Let’s Get the GIST of It Series’, we will discuss new and emerging clinical trials, as well as updates from existing trials. We will focus on details of each trial including trial site locations and eligibility criteria.
We will talk about trials that are for KIT, PDGFRA, SDH-deficient mutations along with NTRK fusions. The session will be interactive, so attendees are encouraged to ask questions and participate. We invite patients and caregivers to attend.
The event will be hosted by Sahibjeet Parmar, Director of Data Management & Research at The Life Raft Group.

Gaining Insight on the INSIGHT Phase 3 Study
2024-04-11 12:00
The Life Raft Group is partnering with Dr. Neeta Somaiah of MD Anderson Cancer Center to host "Gaining Insight on the Phase 3 INSIGHT Clinical Trial" for the GIST community on April 11th, 2024 from 12-1:15 pm ET. During the webinar, Dr. Somaiah will present an overview of Deciphera Pharmaceutical's Phase 3 INSIGHT Clinical Trial. This study tests the investigational use of ripretinib in a subset of patients living with GIST. Webinar participants will learn about the INSIGHT study, including eligibility, site locations, and study rationale. 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
Neeta Somaiah, MD
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Dr. Neeta Somaiah received her medical degree from Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi, India and has trained at St. John’s Episcopal in New York, Drexel University Hospital and Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, prior to joining MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Dr. Somaiah joined MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2012. She has thirteen years of sarcoma and clinical research experience. She is board certified in Medical Oncology. Her primary clinical and research focus is soft tissue sarcomas, specifically liposarcomas and GIST. She currently serves as the Principal Investigator of three investigator-initiated trials and nine cooperative group and industry-sponsored clinical trials at MD Anderson Cancer Center and has in depth knowledge with extensive experience in the design and execution of clinical trials. She also has multiple ongoing collaborations for translational research, both retrospective and prospective, that help improve the understanding of these rare group of diseases and explore the role of immunotherapy as a therapeutic avenue. Dr. Somaiah has been presented many honors for her expertise and contributions to science, including an Exceptional Women in Medicine award and is among the top 1% providers nationally.
Thank you to our Webinar Sponsor!

Educate Yourself on GIST Research
2024-04-30 12:00
How to Educate Yourself on GIST Research – Searching the Web for GIST Science Publications
Life Raft Group Science Team Member Jim Hughes will present “How to Educate Yourself on GIST Research- Searching the Web for GIST Science Publications” to GIST patients & caregivers on April 30th, 2024 at 12pm ET. During this virtual presentation, Jim will outline the importance of patients and caregivers researching their cancer in order to best advocate for themselves. Jim will explain the importance of GIST publications and how to effectively do your own research, and how to work together with fellow community members to share research findings.
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

Jim Hughes
LRG Clinical Trials Database Coordinator/Science Team Member
Jim Hughes attended Kenyon College, Ohio and Loyola University, Chicago where he earned a BA in Philosophy. Between schools Jim served as an officer in the United States Army in the US and Vietnam and following his service worked in telecommunications for 35 years.
Jim and Margi are the parents of two children, Nancy and Jamie. Nancy Hughes Welsh was an early member of The Life Raft Group (2002). Nancy was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma in 1991 at age 23. After ten years of surgery and chemotherapy Nancy was re-diagnosed with GIST in 2001. Nancy participated in the Phase Three imatinib trial in 2001 and the Phase Two sunitinib trial in 2003. Nancy’s GIST was eventually diagnosed as SDH epimutant and passed away in 2005.
Jim serves as a Life Raft Group Board Member, our Clinical Trials Database Coordinator and is a founding member of the LRG Science Team.

Thank you to our Webinar Sponsors!
