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.
Other Programs Supported by The Life Raft Group:
Real World Evidence In Action
Traditional models for cancer research have resulted in many breakthrough treatments for patients, but it is not enough. The LRGβs approach to GIST research through real world evidence, relies on timely, accurate data from the patientβs perspective, with patient survival as the primary objective.
RECENT LRG DATA
Update your Patient Registry Info.
Join The Life Raft Group.
Current GIST Clinical Trials.
Search the GIST Specialist Database.
HELP US SAVE LIVES
The Life Raft Group is a community and it is up to all of us to make a difference. There are many ways to help. We always need patient tissue and data in our GIST patient registry. Volunteering your time or making a monetary donation also helps us drive research forward and save lives.
News
GIST Research Campaign Q&A with Norman Scherzer
In December, the Life Raft Group launched its βWe Are the Cureβ campaign to fund GIST research. I sat down with Norman to find out more about The LRG GIST research team and the campaignβs progress to date.
2013 LRG Research Team Progress Report
AccomplishmentsβRecent Progress: 1. Using mouse models, successfully attacked GIST with antibodies, essentially telling immune system to eat the cancer cells.
Tanner finds chuckles in cancer treatment
After turning 50, Rob Tanner went to the doctor in May for that checkup all men are supposed to begin getting at 50.
New staff, old staff, and lots of students
Over the last few months we have had our new Assistant Program Director come aboard, a long time LRG staff member get married and have a mini reunion, and Fundacion GIST Mexico reached 1,000 medical students.
World Cancer Day – How Will You Celebrate?
Today, February 4, 2014, marks a pivotal day of awareness across the planet. Cancer, a disease of many faces, has tortured and [...]
LRG Launches Global Medical Team
The Life Raft Group is pleased to formally announce the creation of its first ever Global Medical Team. This team, which consists [...]
New Treatments for GIST: Finding the Right Combinations
Prior to 2000, surgery was the only known effective treatment for advanced GIST.
Treatment of Small Stomach GISTs
Some stomach GISTs smaller than 2 cm may pose more risk than previously thought according to a new report from China.






























