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
Thriving & Challenging Yourself While Living with GIST, Stijn, Part 2
GIST patients face many obstacles and challenges to get to a place where they’d say they were thriving. Physical challenges from surgeries, pain and side effects can severely change the lifestyle and activities they enjoyed before GIST. Elsye Walker and Stijn Belmans, faced those changes and decided they wouldn’t accept an altered version of life.
A Conversation with a Few of Our Global GIST Mentors
n June 2021, we trained seven LRG members from Austria, Canada, Chile, India, and Singapore. LRG’s Global GIST Mentors are survivors or caregivers who volunteer their time, energy, and talent to support others.
Common Side Effects & How to Manage Them
Every GIST patient (and person in general) is unique, however, there are some common issues that patients may face during their GIST journey.
Tissue Testing Project
The Life Raft Group (LRG) is providing you with this information to let you know that comprehensive genomic profiling, also known as biomarker testing or molecular testing, is a crucial step in understanding the genomic factors that play a role in a GIST diagnosis. Bayer Pharmaceuticals, in partnership with The Life Raft Group (LRG), has extended a research collaboration to broaden access to comprehensive genomic testing (CGT) for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) patients.
Flu Season 2021
Fall is finally here, and with it comes the onset of Flu Season. Flu is a difficult illness for everyone, but for cancer patients, it can be devastating. It is especially confusing in this year which continues to challenge everyone with the uncertainty of COVID-19 and its variants.
It’s Time to Rethink Placebos in Advanced GIST – LRG Science
In this issue of LRG Science: based on current studies, this article asserts the belief that placebos do not benefit patients with advanced disease.
New Research Lab Dedicated to GISTer
Dr. Jason Sicklick of Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego dedicated his new research lab to the memory of GISTer Merak Melikian Hatounian.
October 2nd GIST DO IT Walk NJ Postponed
The welfare of our members and staff is of utmost importance to us and due to ongoing pandemic, we have decided to take the precaution of postponing our GIST DO IT Walk which was scheduled for October 2nd.
Keep up with the latest news, events, and opportunities to help.
To contact The Life Raft Group, please call 973-837-9092
PARTNERS & AFFILIATIONS
