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 members share medical solutions
LRG members share their experiences with elevated liver enzymes which are a rare side effect of Gleevec and can occur in CML and GIST patients.
Community hospitals vs. cancer centers: should the patient be informed of the risks?
In a January New York Times article, “Should Patients Be Told of Better Care Elsewhere,” the author, Denise Grady, discusses a friend who was [...]
LRG Research Team holds second in-person meeting: new tissue banking initiative born
On March 6 and 7, the LRG Research Team met for the second in-person meeting at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, [...]
Cancer in the News: CMS broadens PET scan coverage, President Obama calls out cancer
The following article was reprinted from an email alert sent by LegisLink Action Center, a community education service of US Oncology. On [...]
Pat George: the man, the myth, the legend
Pat George, LRG member and volunteer is well-known in the community. Pat recently took it upon himself to help educate the local students
KIT signaling & new approaches for GIST therapy
KIT functions in several distinct cell types. Keep reading to learn about KIT signaling and new approaches for GIST Therapy.
Hereditary GIST explained
This article explains hereditary GIST. Familial cancer syndrome is a genetic condition that causes an increased risk for specific types of [...]
FDA Approves Gleevec to Prevent Recurrence of Rare Gastrointestinal Cancer
Gleevec was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent Gastrointestinal Cancer(imatinib mesylate) for a new indication. This will keeping [...]
Keep up with the latest news, events, and opportunities to help.
To contact The Life Raft Group, please call 973-837-9092
PARTNERS & AFFILIATIONS
