Nutrición después de la cirugía de GIST
2025-03-28 16:00 (America/New_York)
The Life Raft Group se ha asociado con María Camila Gómez, paciente y defensora de GIST, así como estudiante de Nutrición, para presentar “Nutrición después de la cirugía de GIST” el 28 de marzo a las 4 PM ET. En esta presentación, María Camila abordará la nutrición después de una gastrectomía total o parcial, combinando su experiencia personal como paciente con los conocimientos adquiridos durante sus últimos tres años de estudio en nutrición. Al finalizar la presentación, habrá una sesión de preguntas y respuestas. Si tiene preguntas o comentarios, póngase en contacto con srothschild@liferaftgroup.org.
REGISTRATEBiografía de la Ponente:

María Camila Gómez
Defensora GIST & Estudiante de Nutrición
María Camila Gómez ha sido paciente de GIST desde los 16 años y actualmente es estudiante de sexto semestre de Nutrición y Dietética. Hace cinco años, tras someterse a una gastrectomía total, reconoció el papel fundamental de la nutrición en la salud. Esta experiencia la llevó a estudiar nutrición, tanto para comprender mejor su nueva realidad como para apoyar a otras personas que enfrentan desafíos similares. Además de su formación académica, María Camila crea contenido en redes sociales para generar conciencia sobre la vida sin estómago y la importancia de una nutrición adaptada.
Gracias a Nuestros Patrocinadores!

Nutrition After GIST Surgery
2025-03-28 15:00 (America/New_York)
The Life Raft Group is partnering with María Camila Gomez, GIST Patient Advocate and Nutrition student, to present “Nutrition After GIST Surgery” on March 28 at 3PM ET. Ms. Gomez will address nutrition needs after a total or partial gastrectomy, blending her personal experience as a patient with what she has learned over the past three years of studying nutrition. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.
This webinar will be available on our YouTube channel—subscribe for updates on new GIST education videos. 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 srothschild@liferaftgroup.org.
REGISTERAbout Our Presenter

María Camila Gómez
GIST Advocate & Nutrition Student
María Camila Gomez has been a GIST patient since the age of 16 and is currently a sixth-semester Nutrition and Dietetics student. Five years ago, after undergoing a total gastrectomy, she recognized the vital role of nutrition in overall health. This realization led her to pursue studies in nutrition, both to better understand her new reality and to support others facing similar challenges. In addition to her academic journey, María Camila creates social media content to raise awareness about life without a stomach and the importance of adapted nutrition.
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Virtual Texas Support Group
2025-03-24 18:00, 2025-02-24 18:00, 2025-01-27 18:00, 2024-12-23 18:00, 2024-11-25 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 Rachel LoCurto at rlocurto@liferaftgroup.org with any questions or to get the Zoom link.

Virtual GIST Patient Support Group
2025-03-18 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-02-18 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-01-21 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-12-17 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-12-03 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-11-19 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

Virtual Florida Support Group
2025-03-10 18:00, 2025-02-10 18:00, 2025-01-13 18:00, 2024-12-09 18:00, 2024-11-11 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 Rachel LoCurto: rlocurto@liferaftgroup.org for the Zoom link for the meeting.

Virtual GIST Caregiver Support Group
2025-03-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-02-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-01-01 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-12-04 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-11-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-11-06 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
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 Rachel LoCurto at rlocurto@liferaftgroup.org for more information and 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 Summit 2025 / GDOL Texas
2025-03-01 08:00 (America/New_York) | MD Anderson Cancer Prevention Center, 1155 Pressler Street 8th Floor, Houston, TX, 77030, United States
MD Anderson Cancer Center, GIST Support International and The Life Raft Group are co-hosting GIST Summit 2025 for GIST patients and caregivers in Houston, Texas in March to showcase recent developments in GIST treatments and therapies.

REGISTERDr. Neeta Somaiah and Dr. Jonathan Trent, in partnership with MD Anderson Cancer Center, GIST Support International (GSI) and The Life Raft Group (LRG) are pleased to invite you to the 2025 GIST Summit and Day of Learning to be held on Saturday, March 1, at MD Anderson Cancer Prevention Center in Houston, TX.
This free-of-charge Summit is being sponsored through educational and other grants and gifts from pharmaceutical companies and individual donors. The program will include numerous presentations on the current state of GIST as well as future treatments and one-on-one conversations with the experts. All meals, refreshments, and parking will be provided.
Please join our communuty of GIST patients and caregivers for these relevant and informative talks, meet with old friends and new, and catch up on the latest science. Previous GIST Summits and GIST Days of Learning have been great successes, and this year’s program is exciting as ever. Where else can you discuss GIST issues with the experts and ask questions you always wanted to ask? You will also have time to meet with other GIST patients and caregivers and to share experiences.
Proposed Agenda is below; subject to changes & additions.
Have questions? Contact Brian Morello: bmorello@liferaftgroup.org
Link to Agenda PDF
Thank You To Our Sponsors

Enfermedades raras - "El fin de la odisea diagnóstica"
2025-02-28 16:00 (America/New_York)
Alianza GIST y Fundación GIST México te invitan a su próximo webinar en conmemoración del Día Mundial de las Enfermedades Raras. Un espacio para profesionales de la salud. Tu participación es clave.

REGISTER

Exploring The SARC044 Trial
2025-01-08 14:30 (America/New_York)
The Life Raft Group invites you to “Exploring The SARC044 Trial: Key Details & What The GIST Community Can Gain From The Study” on January 8th, 2024 at 2:30PM ET. Dr. Candace Haddox, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, will present an overview of the Phase II SARC044 Clinical Trial. This currently recruiting study tests the investigational use of bezuclastinib in combination with sunitinib in patients with GIST. Webinar participants will learn about the SARC044 study, including eligibility, site locations, and study rationale. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
REGISTERAbout Our Presenter

Dr. Candace Haddox
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dr. Candace Haddox is an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and a medical oncologist and clinical/translational investigator in the Sarcoma Center and the Center for Cancer Therapeutic Innovation at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Dr. Haddox’s research focuses on developing novel therapies rooted in sarcoma biology and determining mechanisms of treatment response and resistance, particularly in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).
Dr. Haddox received her Bachelor of Science in neurobiology from the University of Miami. She completed a post-baccalaureate research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health and received her Medical Degree from the University of South Florida. Dr. Haddox completed a residency in Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and a fellowship in Medical Oncology at Duke University, where she also served as Chief Fellow. She joined the faculty at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in 2021, where she currently sees patients with sarcomas and leads clinical trials in early drug development.

Updates from CTOS
2024-11-25 12:00 (America/New_York)
The Life Raft Group is partnering with Dr. Thierry Alcindor of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to present “GIST Updates from CTOS 2024” to GIST patients and caregivers on November 25th at 12pm ET. During this virtual presentation, Dr. Alcindor will discuss scientific updates relevant to GIST patients that were exhibited at the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) conference. A Q&A segment followed Dr. Alcindor’s 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

Dr. Thierry Alcindor
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dr. Alcindor earned his medical degree at the State University of Haiti and a Master of Science degree at the University of Oxford. He trained in Internal Medicine and Hematology/Oncology at Yale-New Haven Medical Center and Tufts-New England Medical Center, respectively. Previously at McGill University, he is now a Senior Physician and medical oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, affiliated with Harvard Medical School. His interests cover treatment and investigation of sarcomas, including gastro-intestinal stromal tumors (GIST).
Thank you to our Webinar Sponsors!

GDOL North Carolina Virtual
2024-11-06 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
GDOL North Carolina is being held virtually Nov 6th, 3-5 pm ET at Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
REGISTERWhat 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 Life Raft Group is committed to enhancing the survival and quality of life for people living with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST), and other rare diseases, through patient-powered research, education and empowerment, and global advocacy efforts. Our vision is to empower a future fueled by data, guiding our journey toward cures for rare diseases.
If you have any questions, please contact Brian Morello at bmorello@liferaftgroup.org
Click Image for a PDF of the Agenda

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Know Your Mutation: Why is Biomarker Testing Important in GIST?
2024-11-06 13:00 (America/New_York)
The Life Raft Group invites you to “Know Your Mutation: Why is Biomarker Testing Important in GIST?”, on November 6th, 2024 at 1PM ET. During this educational webinar, Michelle Harris and Calvin Chao of Tempus will discuss the importance of biomarker testing in GIST, the process of biomarker testing, how to get testing done for free through the LRG, and more. 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 Presenters

Dr. Calvin Chao
Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs, Tempus
Previously, Dr. Chao spent thirteen years leading studies and education for the Oncotype DX Breast, Prostate, and Colon Cancer assays at Genomic Health, later acquired by Exact Sciences. Prior to that role, he worked in various bio-pharmaceutical medical director positions at Onyx Pharmaceuticals, PDL BioPharma, TAP Pharmaceuticals, and SmithKline Beecham.
In his early career, Dr. Chao practiced as a board-certified internist and hospitalist at Kaiser Permanente in California for ten years. He earned his MD from the University of Texas Medical Branch, completed his medical residency at Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, received his MBA from St. Mary’s College, California, and his BS in Chemical Engineering from University of California, Berkeley.

Michelle Harris
Senior Director Medical Affairs, Tempus AI
Michelle has worked in the oncology space for almost 20 years in research, development and medical affairs. She has been at Tempus AI for 2&1/2 years leading the field medical liaison team, who work with physicians on research and education. Prior to Tempus, Michelle worked in solid tumor drug development and clinical trials at Novartis and Gilead Sciences.
Thank you to our Webinar Sponsors!
