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 Fest: Clinician of the Year Winner and Tree of Life Project
By Belinda Ehrlich, LRG Program Associate & Erin Kristoff, Newsletter Editor And the winner is... After careful consideration, the Life Raft Group has [...]
LRG meets in Mexico!
Researchers and staff from the Life Raft Group and representatives from Mexico’s science and medical community came together to commit to their [...]
Varmus sworn in as NCI’s 14th director
Nobel Prize winner Harold E. Varmus, M.D., took the oath of office to become the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) 14th director in July [...]
Three girls are going to skydive for GIST!
Written by Stacey McAully My name is Stacey and most of you will have seen us in the April edition of the newsletter. [...]
Norman & Anita meet with Dutch GISTers in Amsterdam
The following excerpt has been reprinted from an article in the Contactgroep GIST newsletter,“Van GISTeren naar morgen” with permission. Norman Scherzer, the [...]
New target found for wild-type and pediatric GIST
A new target has been found for wild-type and pediatric GIST. GISTs without mutations in either of the two genes commonly mutated in [...]
Southern California GISTers meet!
The Manse on Marsh Street was the location of the first GIST gathering on January 10, 2010 in San Luis Obispo, [...]
Patients with rare cancer get second chance to fight back
When Morty Wagman underwent surgery to remove a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) in 2008 with his wife Judi by his side, he was faced with a concerning 55 percent chance that his cancer would return. Then, his oncologist told him about Gleevec (imatinib), a treatment that could greatly reduce the risk of his cancer returning, and Wagman felt empowered and hopeful. Today, he and his wife applaud Health Canada for approving Gleevec for patients with this potentially life-threatening condition, at an earlier stage in the disease.
Keep up with the latest news, events, and opportunities to help.
To contact The Life Raft Group, please call 973-837-9092
PARTNERS & AFFILIATIONS
