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:
PATIENT
Leverage patient perspective to drive innovative solutions in cancer research.
POWERED
Educate and empower patients to take a larger role in their care.
SCIENCE
Accelerate research outcomes through collaborative efforts.
FOR LIFE
Increase access to effective treatments worldwide.
Real World Evidence In Action
Traditional models for cancer research have resulted in many breakthrough treatments for patients, but it is not enough. The LRG’s approach to GIST research through real world evidence, relies on timely, accurate data from the patient’s perspective, with patient survival as the primary objective.
RECENT LRG DATA
Did you know that GIST is actually a family of cancers? Learn more about the science of GIST.
Dr. Monica Anderson
Diagnosed in 2012 with Adult GIST.
Bella Rocco
Diagnosed in 2009 with Pediatric
(SDH-deficient) GIST.
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
What does cancer feel like?
I’ve been struggling to answer that question since I was diagnosed with a rare, malignancy known as gastrointestinal stromal tumor on February [...]
LRG researchers publish ‘cell sleep’ study
Members of the Life Raft Group Research Team continue to publish results of promising studies aimed at finding a cure for GIST. The latest reflects the collaboration that guides its efforts.
Alianza GIST meeting to shape future
The Alianza GIST 2013 meeting in Miami marked an important milestone for GIST advocates as they embarked on a plan to build [...]
New Horizons makes a splash in Miami
New Horizons Participants in Miami, Fla. The 2013 New Horizons GIST conference was held at the Hilton Miami Downtown Hotel [...]
Sosipatros Boikos takes helm at NIH Clinic
Dr. Sosipatros Boikos, a graduate of University of Crete in Greece, very early and while he was a first year medical student, developed an interest in cancer genetics. After graduating from medical school, he came to the National Institutes of Health as a Visiting Research Fellow to work on the genetics of Wildtype gastrointestinal stromal tumors—those GIST tumors without a KIT or PDGFRA mutation—under the supervision of Dr. Constantine Stratakis, the researcher who identified Carney-Stratakis Syndrome.
Graduating, Birth, Marriage. What Can’t GISTers do?
Pediatric GISTer, Sile Bao graduated on May 19 and already started her first job at Princeton University in July. Ashley Young Vincent, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Lily on June 24. GISTer Mo Collins, married her partner, Alex Skuby on June 25 in a lovely ceremony.
Scott Russell takes the scenic route to fundraising
In early June, Scott Russell, husband of GISTer Carol, participated in the Fourth Annual Allegheny 100 Backpacking Challenge held by the scenic Pennsylvania Allegheny National Forest Chapter of the North Country Trail.
Chris Skiff Defies Odds by Running in California Marathon
When Chris Skiff was in elementary school, he “felt the urge to run.” And he has been running ever since. Even after being diagnosed with GIST.
GLOBAL PARTNERS & AFFILIATIONS
