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
Points of Light for 2020
Despite the challenges of Covid, the LRG has quickly developed new ways of working together virtually. We have kept afloat and served our community well during this dark year. These points of light show just how far we've come this year.
Women in Sarcoma Virtual Gala Recap
The first annual Women in Sarcoma gala was held virtually on Thursday, December 10th, 2020. It was a fantastic evening where the Life Raft Group celebrated some phenomenal women within the community.
Normal Life Interrupted
Angel Selena Rodriguez was living what she considered a very normal life. She was studying medicine, playing violin in an orchestra, and enjoying painting and drawing, and university in Venezuela.
Delivering Hope: A Modern Day Miracle of Birth
April Lopossa was faced with a daunting decision - to take Gleevec for her newly diagnosed GIST pre-surgery or wait until she delivered her unborn child.
Changes to the Medical Update Forms
The Life Raft Group is committed to ensuring your GIST journey is as manageable as possible. We want to ensure that we expand our resources in order to help patients stay on their treatment longer by helping them to manage their side effects.
A Seat at the Table
The Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) meeting was held Nov 18-21st and was chaired by three women in the field. This year’s meeting special because it was held virtually due to COVID-19. One of the new aims of the CTOS organization is to incorporate the patient perspective in more of its sessions.
CTOS 2020 Virtual Session – Key Highlights
CTOS 2020 was conducted virtually from November 18th through the 21st, given the nature of our current environment, much of the content of the conference centered on COVID-19 and its impact on cancer patients, but there were a number of sessions and presentations and posters devoted to GIST as well.
Overcoming the Holiday Blues
For many, the holidays are challenging normally and for cancer patients, the expectations of a consistently happy mood may be unrealistic. If you are newly diagnosed, the realization of what treatment means is probably not yet fully absorbed.
Keep up with the latest news, events, and opportunities to help.
To contact The Life Raft Group, please call 973-837-9092
PARTNERS & AFFILIATIONS
