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
Science & Surprises abound at NJ GISTers meeting!
On May 7, we held the NJ Chapter Meeting of GISTers at the LRG Office in Wayne, NJ. It was a great gathering of patients, caregivers, LRG staff members and our guest speaker ,Dr. Bob Maki of Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York.
GIST, my friend: How to live with this chronic disease day-to-day
"Acceptance – for me that means trying to live as positively and naturally as possible by thinking of cancer as a friend and not as an enemy!"
Swiss are back at it with 8th annual meeting
Approximately 90 GIST patients, relatives, GIST experts, interested professionals, physicians and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry gathered in Zurich on April 8, 2011 for the eighth meeting of the Swiss GIST group in the Restaurant Au Premier at Zurich Main Station (HB Zürich).
State of the GIST Community Part 3: What do we know about mutational testing?
As of May 1, 2011, the LRG patient registry only received 377 reports of mutations out of 1,327 patients, which only represents 28 percent of the entire registry. Part of this may be related to the fact that mutational testing is not common practice at diagnosis.
The connection between ICCs & GIST
Where does GIST come from? Good question. GIST actually begins formation in special cells called interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs). ICCs are considered the pace-makers of the GI tract...
Wildtype GIST & SDH: What to Know
Written by Jennifer Wright April, 2011 - This article is a summary of “Defects in succinate dehydrogenase in gastrointestinal stromal tumors lacking [...]
FDA too rigid in review of drugs for critically ill
Scott Gottlieb has fired a shot across the FDA's statisticalconfidence bow. The former FDA Deputy Commissioner, using the Wall Street Journal as his command post, charges the regulator with "steadily disregarding" the provisions of the FDA Modernization Act that give it "broad discretion" to reduce the quantity and rigor of clinical data needed to approve drugs targeting grave illnesses.
Italian GISTers hold 4th national meeting
Italian GISTers hold 4th national meeting Written by Gabriella Tedone A .I.G.’s (Associazione Italiana GIST) fourth national meeting was held at Fondazione IRCCS [...]
Keep up with the latest news, events, and opportunities to help.
To contact The Life Raft Group, please call 973-837-9092
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