Virtual Texas Support Group
2025-10-27 18:00, 2025-11-24 18:00, 2025-12-22 18:00, 2026-01-26 18:00, 2026-02-23 18:00, 2026-03-23 18:00, 2026-04-27 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. Contact Brian at bmorello@liferaftgroup.org with any questions or to get the Zoom link.

ctDNA and the INSIGHT Study
2025-11-10 14:00 (America/New_York)
REGISTERThe Life Raft Group is partnering with Deciphera Pharmaceuticals and Dr. Jonathan Trent of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center to present “ctDNA and the INSIGHT Study” on November 10th at 2PM ET. During this virtual presentation, Dr. Trent will explain how ctDNA works as a non-invasive method to monitor mutations and disease progression, and how it may help personalize treatment strategies for GIST patients.
Denisse Evans, Sr. Director of Data Management & Research for the LRG, will present the results and analysis of the LRG’s recent patient survey: Understanding Mutational and ctDNA Testing for patients in the U.S. She will highlight how patients currently access and understand testing, key barriers to uptake, and what these findings reveal about the real-world experiences of the GIST community. Denisse will also discuss how these insights can help shape future education, advocacy, and research efforts to ensure patients have the tools they need to make informed decisions about their care.
A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.
These 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 rpauley@liferaftgroup.org.
About Our Presenters

Dr. Jonathan Trent
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Jonathan Trent, M.D., Ph.D. is a board‑certified oncologist, professor of medicine, and Associate Director for Clinical Research at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Health System. He serves as the Director of the Bone and Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Group and leads the Sarcoma Medical Oncology program, with a focus on gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), chondrosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, and other rare sarcomas.
Denisse Evans, MS
Senior Director, Data Mgmt. & Research
Ms. Evans 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.
Thank You to Our Sponsor!

Virtual Florida Support Group
2025-11-10 18:00, 2025-12-08 18:00, 2026-01-12 18:00, 2026-02-09 18:00, 2026-03-09 18:00, 2026-04-13 18:00, 2026-05-11 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 Brian Morello: bmorello@liferaftgroup.org for the Zoom link for the meeting.

The WOLF 2025
2025-11-13 18:00 (America/New_York) | Keens Steakhouse, 72 West 36th St, New York, 10018, United States
REGISTERThe Life Raft Group & Dr. Matthew Lurin invite
you to the 8th Annual Water of Life Fall Event this November 13th at Keens Steakhouse in New York City.
The WOLF begins at 6PM.
Step into the warmth of autumn at the 8th Annual Water of Life Fall Event (The WOLF)—an unforgettable evening of whisky, flavor, and community. Hosted at the legendary Keens Steakhouse in New York City, this celebration brings together the finest in single malts and rare blends, paired with the rich, mouthwatering cuisine that has made Keens an icon for over a century. Imagine the golden glow of whisky in your glass, the aroma of perfectly seared steak, and the lively buzz of conversation as friends old and new gather to toast to life.
But The WOLF is more than an extraordinary night of luxury delights—it’s a night of purpose. Every sip and every bite fuels a greater mission: raising funds for groundbreaking GIST cancer research. Over the years, this event has become a cherished tradition where generosity and enjoyment meet, proving that the right mix of passion, flavor, and fellowship can make a real difference. Join us for a night that’s as meaningful as it is delicious, and be part of keeping hope alive for patients and families worldwide.
Let’s Drink Whisky to Fight Cancer! Slàinte Mhath!
Matthew J. Lurin, MD MBA FACEP CPE
Founder, the Water of Life Charity Event (The WOLF)
Menu for the evening:

SDH Support Group
2025-11-18 15:00, 2025-12-16 15:00, 2026-01-20 15:00, 2026-02-17 15:00, 2026-03-17 15:00, 2026-04-21 15:00 (America/New_York)
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.
What to Expect:

Regular virtual meetings
Peer support and open discussion
Guest speakers and educational sessions
Opportunities to ask questions and share your story

This 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.

Virtual GIST Patient Support Group
2025-11-18 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-12-16 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-01-20 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-02-17 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-03-17 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-04-21 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

Texas Hold'Em Poker Event
2025-11-20 18:00 (America/New_York) | Elks Lodge #2167, 33 Ramapo Valley Rd, Oakland, NJ, 07436, United States
Join us for an exciting evening of cards, camaraderie, and fun at our Texas Hold’em! Whether you’re a seasoned player or just love the thrill of the game, this is your chance to go all in for a great cause. Exciting prizes will be awarded throughout the night.
Event Details:
Check-in and buffet at 6:00PM.
$5,000 prize pool (for 75+ players).
$100 buy-in (5,000 chips).
500-chip bonus for early registration (48 hr).
Re-buys and add-ons.
Hot buffet, soft drinks and coffee included.
Cash bar: beer, wine, spirits, mixed drinks.
Admission: cash, card, Venmo.
REGISTER

Updates from CTOS 2025
2025-12-03 12:00 (America/New_York)
REGISTERThe CTOS Annual Meeting is the yearly conference of the Connective Tissue Oncology Society, where global sarcoma experts share new research and clinical insights. The Life Raft Group is partnering with Dr. Pawel Sobczuk of Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology to present “GIST Updates from CTOS 2025” on December 3rd at 12 PM ET. During this virtual session, Dr. Sobczuk will highlight key GIST-relevant findings presented at CTOS, followed by a Q&A with attendees.
About Our Presenter

Dr. Pawel Sobczuk
Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
Pawel Sobczuk is a Polish medical oncologist and clinician-scientist with expertise in sarcoma and skin tumours. He currently works as a postdoctoral fellow at the Sarcoma Translational Research Group at Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology in Barcelona, Spain. He is a Board member of the Polish Society of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Sobczuk is a member of the ESMO Young Oncologists Committee and ESMO Communication Committee.
Dr. Sobczuk completed his medical degree at the Medical University of Warsaw. Following his medical studies, he undertook a residency in Medical Oncology at Maria-Sklodowska Curie National Research Institute of Oncology in Warsaw, where he also completed his PhD in medical sciences in 2023. He has completed a scientific fellowship at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
His research primarily focuses on translational studies in sarcoma, with a primary interest in response to immunotherapy and novel mechanisms of resistance to kinase inhibitors in GIST. Dr Sobczuk is a co-principal investigator of the EFTISARC-NEO clinical trial evaluating a novel immunotherapy combination in the neoadjuvant treatment of patients with soft tissue sarcoma. He has published more than 40 peer-reviewed articles in indexed journals and presented results in numerous international meetings. He serves as a member of the editorial board of renewed journals such as JCO Precision Oncology and Cancer Control.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
