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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T150000
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LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T154752Z
UID:10000841-1781622000-1781622000@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/2026-06-16/
LOCATION:CA
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:20260616T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T193000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010553
CREATED:20230727T134306Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260605T133728Z
UID:10000735-1781632800-1781638200@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. \nIf you wish to attend\, please email supportgroups@liferaftgroup.org
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/virtual-gist-patient-support-group-third/2026-06-16/
LOCATION:CA
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/New_York:20260617T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260617T130000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010553
CREATED:20260529T161111Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260529T161249Z
UID:10001656-1781701200-1781701200@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:GIST Updates from ASCO 2026
DESCRIPTION:REGISTERASCO (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 Hirotaka Miroshita\, MD PhD of UC San Diego Health\, who will summarize abstracts and presentations that were presented during this conference that are relevant to the GIST patient community. Join us June 17th at 1pm 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. \nAbout Our Presenter:\n \nDr. Hirotaka Miyashita\nUCSD Moores Cancer Center\n \nHirotaka Miyashita\, MD\, PhD\, is a board-certified medical oncologist who specializes in treating patients with sarcomas\, including rare and complex soft tissue and bone tumors. He is co-leader of the Sarcoma Disease Team at Moores Cancer Center\, and also leads and participates in biomarker-driven early-phase clinical trials to bring innovative therapies to patients across cancer types. \nDr. Miyashita prioritizes shared decision-making\, empowering his patients to make choices aligned with their goals and values. In caring for patients with sarcomas\, rare and complex cancers that often require individualized care\, he finds his work most rewarding when he can help patients live fulfilling lives with treatment plans that reflect their priorities and values. \nWith training in bioinformatics\, he leverages his expertise to integrate and analyze complex biomedical data in support of precision oncology and translational cancer research. He has published multiple articles on clinical oncology and has experience designing and conducting early-phase clinical trials. He is a strong advocate for community-oriented\, patient-centered clinical trials\, aiming to improve access and equity in cancer research. \nDr. Miyashita completed a hematology/oncology fellowship at Dartmouth Cancer Center as well as a clinical pharmacology fellowship at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Beth Israel) and a residency in general medicine at the University of Tokyo Hospital in Japan. He also has a PhD in bioinformatics from University of Tsukuba in Japan. \nHe is a member of multiple national and international professional societies\, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology\, the Connective Tissue Oncology Society\, and the SWOG Sarcoma Working Group. Dr. Miyashita is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. \nThank You to Our Sponsors:
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/gist-updates-from-asco-2026/
LOCATION:CA
CATEGORIES:Education,Events,Webcast
ORGANIZER;CN="Rebecca Pauley":MAILTO:rpauley@liferaftgroup.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260622T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260622T180000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010553
CREATED:20240823T175323Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260605T133820Z
UID:10000869-1782151200-1782151200@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.\nIf you wish to attend\, please email supportgroups@liferaftgroup.org for the Zoom link for the meeting.
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/virtual-texas-support-group/2026-06-22/
LOCATION:CA
CATEGORIES:Events,Support Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://liferaftgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/texas-support-group.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Brian Morello":MAILTO:bmorello@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260624
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260625
DTSTAMP:20260615T010553
CREATED:20260421T205043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260430T145211Z
UID:10001649-1782259200-1782345599@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:Water of Life 2026
DESCRIPTION:June 24th & 25th\nREGISTERWe’re honored to invite you to an unforgettable evening where exceptional whisky meets meaningful impact!\nThe Water of Life Charity Event returns this June\, bringing together a curated whisky-tasting experience in support of The Life Raft Group and its mission to improve outcomes for people living with GIST\, a rare gastrointestinal cancer. \nAt the heart of the event is our signature whisky speed-tasting\, designed to give you access to a wide range of distinctive pours while deepening your appreciation for the craft and stories behind each one. \nGuests may choose to attend both evenings or join us for the main event. \nPlease note: this year’s experience has been thoughtfully expanded to allow more time to enjoy each tasting. \nMatthew J Lurin\, MD\, MBA\, FACEP\, CPE   Founder\, Water of Life Charity Event \nEVENT DETAILS \n\n\nJune 24th: Ultra-VIP Event\n6:00 PM – Begin at Home Studios with several rare and exclusive whisky pours. Move on next to our Cigar Event\, where you'll continue enjoying special pours alongside our new event cigar. \nJune 25th: Main Event\n5:00 PM – The event begins with two special masterclasses.\n6:45 PM – The first whisky speed tasting starts.\nThere will be two 30-minute breaks:\nDinner break – Dessert and raffle announcement \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTICKET INFORMATION \n\n\nULTRA VIP Ticket Includes:\nAttendance at the Ultra VIP Event at Home Studios for food and drinks on Wednesday\, June 24\, followed by cigars at The Carnegie Club\, PLUS attendance at the Water of Life Charity Event at Home Studios\, which includes the two Whisky Masterclasses\, speed tasting\, food\, and a custom WOL Glencairn on Thursday\, June 25. \nVIP Ticket Includes:\nAttendance at the Water of Life Charity Event at Home Studios\, which includes the two Whisky Masterclasses\, speed tasting\, food\, and a custom WOL Glencairn on Thursday\, June 25. \nSTANDARD Ticket Includes:\nAttendance at the Water of Life Charity Event atHome Studios\, which includes the whisky speed tasting\, food\, and a custom WOL Glencairn on Thursday\, June 25. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYou must purchase tickets before the event. Only 70 tickets will be sold for this exclusive event. \nAct quickly before tickets sell out! Questions or Seating Requests? Please contact us at: wateroflifenyc@gmail.com \nAll attendees must be over the age of 21. The Life Raft Group is a non-profit\, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Most gifts are 100 percent deductible as a charitable contribution under Federal and State income tax laws. Please consult your individual tax advisor to determine how much of your contribution is deductible. 
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/wol-june-2026/
LOCATION:Home Studios\, Studio 1\, 873 Broadway #301\, NYC\, NY\, 10003\, United States
CATEGORIES:Events,Fundraising
ORGANIZER;CN="Brian Morello":MAILTO:bmorello@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260630T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260630T140000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010553
CREATED:20260226T181800Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260605T133840Z
UID:10001609-1782828000-1782828000@liferaftgroup.org
SUMMARY:Virtual North Carolina Patient Support Group
DESCRIPTION:North Carolina Patient Support Group \nZoom\, Last Tuesday of the Month – 2pm ET\nFebruary\, April\, June\, August\, October\, December \n \nIf you wish to attend\, please email supportgroups@liferaftgroup.org for the Zoom link for the meeting.
URL:https://liferaftgroup.org/event/north-carolina-support-group/2026-06-30/
LOCATION:CA
CATEGORIES:Support Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://liferaftgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NC-Support-Group-Banner.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Brian Morello":MAILTO:bmorello@liferaftgroup.org
END:VEVENT
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