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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250702T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250702T140000
DTSTAMP:20260419T021629
CREATED:20240528T163612Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T163718Z
UID:10001093-1751461200-1751464800@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:Virtual GIST Caregiver Support Group
DESCRIPTION:Monthly Virtual Support Group for GIST Caregivers\nHeld on the first Wednesday of the month \nLRG 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. \nContact Rachel LoCurto at rlocurto@liferaftgroup.org for more information and to join this meeting. \nAbout the Group Leader:\nMarlene Nei\, GIST Caregiver\nAs 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.
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/virtual-gist-caregiver-support-group-2023-2/2025-07-02/
CATEGORIES:Support Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://liferaftgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/caregiver-sg-2023.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Rachel LoCurto":MAILTO:rlocurto@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250711T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250711T140000
DTSTAMP:20260419T021629
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:20250714T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250714T120000
DTSTAMP:20260419T021629
CREATED:20250318T174657Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250711T200848Z
UID:10000815-1752494400-1752494400@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:Día del aprendizaje sobre GIST en español
DESCRIPTION:RESERVE LA FECHA – 14 de Julio\n \nPronto compartiremos la agenda. \n¡Reserve la fecha para el primer GIST Day of Learning en español!  \nEl día del aprendizaje sobre Los Tumores del Estroma Gastrointestinal (GIST) es un evento gratuito diseñado para pacientes y cuidadores\, donde pueden informarse sobre este cáncer poco común\, encontrar apoyo y fortalecer su conocimiento para afrontar su camino contra el GIST. \nREGISTRATELink Agenda PDF\n \n¿Qué es un GDOL? \nUn GDOL es un GIST Day of Learning (Día de Aprendizaje sobre GIST). Este es un evento gratuito de un día diseñado para ayudar a pacientes y cuidadores a aprender más sobre este cáncer raro\, encontrar apoyo y ampliar sus conocimientos para navegar su camino en el tratamiento del cáncer. \nThe Life Raft Group está comprometido con mejorar la supervivencia y calidad de vida de las personas que viven con Tumor del Estroma Gastrointestinal (GIST) y otras enfermedades raras\, a través de la investigación impulsada por los pacientes\, la educación\, el empoderamiento y esfuerzos de defensa a nivel global. Nuestra visión es impulsar un futuro basado en datos\, guiando nuestro camino hacia la cura de enfermedades raras. \nSi tiene alguna pregunta\, comuníquese con Brian Morello en bmorello@liferaftgroup.org. \nGracias a Nuestros Patrocinadores!
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/dia-del-aprendizaje-sobre-gist-en-espanol/
CATEGORIES:Education,Events
ORGANIZER;CN="Rebecca Pauley":MAILTO:rpauley@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250714T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250714T180000
DTSTAMP:20260419T021629
CREATED:20240528T163645Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T165312Z
UID:10001248-1752516000-1752516000@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Florida Support Group
DESCRIPTION:Florida Support Group\nZoom\, 2nd Monday of the Month – 6pm ET\nOur moderator is a fellow GISTER/LRG Member from Florida diagnosed with GIST in late 2016.\nIf you wish to attend\, please email Rachel LoCurto: rlocurto@liferaftgroup.org for the Zoom link for the meeting.
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/virtual-florida-support-group-2-2-2/2025-07-14/
CATEGORIES:Support Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://liferaftgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/florida-support-group.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Rachel LoCurto":MAILTO:rlocurto@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250715T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250715T150000
DTSTAMP:20260419T021629
CREATED:20250710T225236Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T154752Z
UID:10000830-1752591600-1752591600@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:SDH Support Group
DESCRIPTION:We are excited to announce the launch of a dedicated Support Group for SDH-GIST patients\, created to offer a welcoming space for connection\, understanding\, and shared experience. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been managing SDH for years\, this group is here to support you. Together\, we will share our stories and knowledge\, discuss challenges\, celebrate progress\, and offer encouragement to one another in a safe\, respectful environment. \nWhat to Expect: \n\nRegular virtual meetings\nPeer support and open discussion\nGuest speakers and educational sessions\nOpportunities to ask questions and share your story\n\nThis group will meet the 3rd Tuesdays of the month. Space is limited as we aim to keep the support groups small to allow for sharing & discussion.  If interested in the group\, please contact Becky Owens at bowens@liferaftgroup.org. A registration link will be sent to those who express interest. You are not alone\, and we hope this group becomes a meaningful part of your life.
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/sdh-support-group/2025-07-15/
CATEGORIES:Events,Support Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://liferaftgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/SDH-Support-Group-Event-Banner.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Becky Owens":MAILTO:bowens@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250715T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250715T193000
DTSTAMP:20260419T021629
CREATED:20230727T134306Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260105T170322Z
UID:10000724-1752602400-1752607800@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:Virtual GIST Patient Support Group
DESCRIPTION: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). \nWe 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. \nIn 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. \nContact Brian Morello to join: bmorello@liferaftgroup.org
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/virtual-gist-patient-support-group-third/2025-07-15/
CATEGORIES:Support Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://liferaftgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/GISTer-Support-Group-2022-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Brian Morello":MAILTO:bmorello@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250728T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250728T180000
DTSTAMP:20260419T021629
CREATED:20240823T175323Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T163049Z
UID:10000858-1753725600-1753725600@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:Virtual Texas Support Group
DESCRIPTION:Texas Support Group Zoom meeting on the 4th Monday of the month @ 6PM Central Time. Jackie Vanderpol will host this zoom meeting. Contact Rachel LoCurto at rlocurto@liferaftgroup.org with any questions or to get the Zoom link.
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/virtual-texas-support-group/2025-07-28/
CATEGORIES:Events,Support Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://liferaftgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/texas-support-group.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Rachel LoCurto":MAILTO:rlocurto@liferaftgroup.org
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