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.
Update your Patient Registry Info.
Join The Life Raft Group.
Current GIST Clinical Trials.
Search the GIST Specialist Database.
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
Life Raft Group Canada Issues Latest Newsletter
Life Raft Group, Canada has just issued Vol. 3, Issue 2, of its Newsletter. This issue is 8 pages in length, and features several interesting articles.
Radiation therapy revisited as an option in GIST treatment
Radiation therapy has been revisited as an option in GIST treatment. Keep reading to learn more about the research that has gone into radiation therapy.
ARIAD Launches Phase 2 trial of Iclusig to treat GIST
ARIAD Pharmaceuticals has launched a Phase 2 trial of Iclusig to treat GIST. Keep reading for all the details in the official press release.
How ‘Next Generation’ DNA sequencing is changing the landscape of GIST research and diagnosis
During the past dozen years gastrointestinal stromal tumors have emerged from oncologic obscurity and reached center-stage in the development of targeted therapies for solid tumors. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) like imatinib, sunitinib, and more recently regorafenib, have proven effective in suppressing the growth of metastatic GIST, allowing patients to live far longer than during the previous era of ineffective chemotherapy.
First GDOL Chicago hits a homerun!
Our first Chicago GIST Day of Learning (GDOL) was a huge success! Over 50 GISTers and their families gathered for a great day of learning, and sharing experiences. It was wonderful to get to meet so many new people and reconnect with old friends.
We are proud to introduce the new LRG logo
After ten years as an established non-profit, the Life Raft Group identified a critical need in its public image. While the LRG began as a small group of patients and caregivers offering support and guidance to each other while facing the early Gleevec trials, the LRG has now grown into a multi-million dollar international organization, heavily involved in advocacy work and changing the face of GIST research. While we remain true to our support & education roots, the LRG required branding to reflect our current stature and credibility in the medical field.
Our Decision to Enter Hospice
I’ve been thinking a lot about writing this article. The last thing I want to do is cause worry or pain to anyone reading this. Then I thought of all the people who could possibly benefit in the future from knowing ahead of time what we didn’t know at the time we needed to know it.
10 things you need to know about hospice
1. Comfort is the goal of hospice – Many people think entering hospice is “giving up”, but that’s not true. Hospice is where you go to live comfortably with issues that are no longer in your control. The nurses and staff of hospice are there to assist you and your family in your own home, and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week if needed.
Keep up with the latest news, events, and opportunities to help.
To contact The Life Raft Group, please call 973-837-9092
PARTNERS & AFFILIATIONS
