Return to Ways to Give Landing Page
The John Poss Memorial Fund
In March 2000, John Poss seemed to have life perfectly aligned. At 52, he had just hit a hole-in-one during a golf tournament, driving home in a shiny new silver Chrysler 300 as his prize. But just two months later, his world shifted dramatically. John was diagnosed with stage 4 GIST (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor), a rare cancer with no known cure at the time. His doctors gave him less than six months to live.
This diagnosis came at a time when life milestones surrounded him. His eldest daughter had just made him a grandfather for the first time, and his youngest was about to graduate high school and head to college. John wasn’t ready to miss these moments—or the countless others that might follow. Instead, he chose to fight.
John’s sister, Sandra, scoured the internet for information, finding a small but connected community of GIST patients through the American Cancer Online Resources (ACOR). From this network, John learned about a clinical trial for a drug called STI-571, later named imatinib. The trial was full, but John’s determination and advocacy pushed boundaries. He contacted the lead doctor and successfully secured a spot, becoming one of the first 50 patients to test the groundbreaking treatment.
That decision changed everything. Imatinib extended John’s life by 24 years—24 years to make memories with his family, enjoy friendships, and live his passions. He met five of his grandchildren, walked his youngest daughter down the aisle, and, true to his golfing spirit, hit even more holes-in-one.
But John’s story isn’t just one of survival. It’s one of purpose. In 2002, he became a founding member of the Life Raft Group (LRG), a patient advocacy organization for those living with GIST. As the first treasurer, he helped transform a modest $240 budget into a global organization that now serves patients worldwide. For over two decades, John dedicated his time and expertise to ensuring others had the information, support, and hope they needed. His legacy remains one of relentless advocacy and compassion.
On July 10, 2024, at the age of 76, John passed away, leaving behind a story that continues to inspire. His advocacy work, combined with his personal determination, opened doors not just for himself but for countless others facing a GIST diagnosis.
Today, you can honor John’s life by supporting the John Poss Memorial Fund. Every donation furthers GIST research, fuels clinical trials, and provides critical support for patients and caregivers navigating this journey. Your gift ensures that John’s spirit lives on and that others will have the resources they need to fight their battles, just as he did.
Join us in carrying forward John’s legacy of hope, action, and connection. Together, we can make a difference.