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.
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.
Dr. Monica Anderson
Diagnosed in 2012 with Adult GIST.
Marc Wasserman
Diagnosed in 2006 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.
Life Insurance and Cancer
People around the world acquire life insurance policies for different reasons. It’s a common approach to protect one’s assets and cover debts should any life-changing circumstance occur, such as cancer.
GDOL Miami Attracts Large Attendance This Year
Over 80 GISTers and their loved ones gathered from all over to attend the 3rd annual GIST Day of Learning (GDOL) in Miami, held on February 9, to hear from the team of experts at University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center.
Tissue Bank Update – Resistant Tissue is Scarce
In recent years we have been able to gain valuable information from the data produced by tissue donations to the GIST Collaborative Tissue Bank.
Indian Generic Drug Quality Questioned by FDA and U.S. Doctors
Indian generic drug quality has been questioned recently by a number of U.S. doctors. The concern stems from FDA recalls and import bans.
Trial Finds that Adjuvant Imatinib Impacts Recurrence-Free Survival
A recent clinical trial found that 1 year of adjuvant imatinib was able to increase recurrence-free survival. Keep reading to learn more.
Imatinib Rechallenge Impacts GIST Survival Rate
A recent nonrandomized study has shown that imatinib rechallenge impacted the survival rate for patients with advanced or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).
The GIST Cancer Journal Arrives
The Life Raft Group is pleased to announce the release of the first issue of The GIST Cancer Journal, the official journal of the Life Raft Group and the first academic journal devoted solely to GIST.
Drugs being Reconsidered to help Fight GIST
The LRG helped fund research by the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) to screen a library of FDA-approved anticancer drugs that previously wouldn’t have [...]
GLOBAL PARTNERS
