Posts Tagged ‘cure sarcoma’
Today’s post comes to us from Brendan Locke. Brendan’s wife Melissa was diagnosed with sarcoma in January 2016. Since that time, her disease has been at the forefront of their lives. As you might imagine, Brendan has made it his mission to see that she receives the best treatment possible. He has also made advocacy and sarcoma awareness a significant priority, working not only to improve things for Melissa, but also to serve as a voice for the greater good. Brendan recently wrote to Vice President Joe Biden, the force behind the Cancer Moonshot initiative, to share Melissa’s story and bring attention to the needs… Read More »
DAMASCUS, Md. – June 2, 2016 – The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), an organization dedicated to increased awareness and research for sarcoma, today announced that it has awarded $400,000 in research funds to deserving scientists at institutions across the United States as part of its 2016 SFA Research Grant program. Eight research grants, each worth $50,000, have been awarded to researchers who have made it their mission to study sarcoma, a rare cancer that arises in the body’s connective tissue. All proposals are peer reviewed by the SFA Medical Advisory Board who award the grants to the best, most promising… Read More »
Today’s post was written by Bert E. Thomas IV, PhD, MBA, CEO of the Sarcoma Foundation of America. Over the past few weeks we’ve seen the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) make decisions regarding some investigational therapies for sarcoma. In that time, one investigational new drug received priority review status, which cuts the drug review period from 10 months to six months. Another was given fast track designation. This designation is also intended to expedited the review process for “serious conditions with unmet medical need.” Certainly sarcoma falls into that category. The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) has long been… Read More »
In 2010, Jonathan Yip was diagnosed with osteosarcoma after returning from a carefree summer in China. Taking time off from his studies at Harvard, Jonathan underwent chemotherapy and surgery over the course of the next 10 months. At the end of his treatment, thanks to the dedication and expertise of his team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, including Dr. John Healey and Jody Roth, RN, Jonathan emerged cancer free and leg intact. A week after chemotherapy ended, bald and with a cane, Jonathan went to Washington, DC to intern at the White House National Economic Council, where he… Read More »
Bonnie Newman was 19 years old when she was diagnosed with cancer for the first time. A semester in school was delayed for treatment, but she eventually graduated from college and spent the following summer on a backpacking adventure through Europe with her twin sister. The second time she was diagnosed, Bonnie was a new hire at a large Wall Street firm and the youngest woman accepted into their Broker/Financial Advisors training program. Only 6 weeks into her new position, she found out her cancer had returned and spread. After surgery, chemotherapy, and a long recovery, she returned… Read More »
Nathan Greenberg was just 21 years old, captain of the Union College Men’s lacrosse team, and eager to head into his senior year of college. At this moment in his life, Nathan had everything figured out and was looking forward to one final summer of fun before the real world. However, one week before he headed back for his senior year, he was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in his left hip. After two surgeries, 13 rounds of chemotherapy, and countless trips to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Nathan was able to complete his treatment. Because of his positive and… Read More »
– Healey to be honored at the 14th Annual Fundraising Gala – DAMASCUS, Md. – April 28, 2016 – The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), an organization dedicated to increased research funding and advocacy for sarcoma, is pleased to announce that John H. Healey, MD, FACS, Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, is the 2016 recipient of the Nobility in Science Award. Dr. Healey will be honored at SFA’s 14th Annual New York fundraising gala, “A Celebration of Life.” The event will take place on May 12, 2016, at Guastavino’s, 409 E 59th Street, New York,… Read More »
– John H. Healey, MD, and Advaxis Immunotherapies among the honorees at the “Celebration of Life”- DAMASCUS, Md. – April 14, 2016 – The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) today announced that the 14th Annual SFA New York fundraising gala, “A Celebration of Life,” will take place on May 12, 2016, at Guastavino’s, 409 E 59th Street, New York, NY. The New York event raises money to fund innovative sarcoma research that will lead to the development of new and better therapies for sarcoma patients. “A Celebration of Life” will honor those who have battled sarcoma, as well as… Read More »
Today’s post was written by Bert E. Thomas IV, PhD, CEO of the Sarcoma Foundation of America. Like most in the sarcoma advocacy community, you are probably very well acquainted with July as Sarcoma Awareness Month. You’ve no doubt heard of September being known as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Hopefully you’ve also become familiar with the last day in February being set aside for Rare Disease Day. As you know, each of these campaigns gives us special opportunities to bring awareness to the needs of sarcoma patients, caregivers, and survivors. SFA supporters like you always step up and help us… Read More »
CHILDHOOD CANCER ACTION DAYS WASHINGTON, D.C. MAY 16-17, 2016 Join us on May 16-17 You’re invited to join the Sarcoma Foundation of America and the Alliance for Childhood Cancer for the 5th Annual Childhood Cancer Action Days. This two-day event in Washington brings our community together to advocate for important childhood cancer issues currently before Congress. Your Voice Matters: A strong showing of advocates at Action Days 2016 is more crucial than ever, as we anticipate the Childhood Cancer STAR Act will be at a critical point in the legislative process. Sharing your story in Washington this spring will help us tip… Read More »
Title of the Study: Dissemination and Implementation in Rare Cancer Community: PCORI Pilot Work Shared Across Rare Disease Populations Research Participants Invited!!!!! Who is inviting your participation in this study? The UAMS DFSP Research Partnership is inviting you to participate in an online questionnaire. The community research partnership includes patients living with or surviving Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) and their families, the Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), providers and investigators from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Funding sponsorship came from the Patient Centered Outcome Research Institute (PCORI). The questions in the survey were developed by the… Read More »
-Drug Approved for Use in Treatment of Advanced Liposarcoma and Leiomyosarcoma- DAMASCUS, Md. – October 23, 2015 – The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) applauds the announcement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the drug Yondelis (trabectedin, marketed by Janssen) has been approved by the agency for the treatment of advanced liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma, two subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma. Yondelis has received approval for the use in the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma who have previously received an anthracycline chemotherapy. “The Sarcoma Foundation of America is thrilled with the FDA’s decision to approve… Read More »
DAMASCUS, Md. – September 30, 2015 – The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), an organization dedicated to increased research and awareness for sarcoma, a rare cancer of the connective tissue, today announced that it has initiated a fundraising campaign to support the genotyping of sarcoma patient tumors in collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). Tumor genotyping is the process by which a sample of the patient’s tumor is evaluated for genetic abnormalities that may drive healthy cells to become tumor cells, creating a growing tumor. If the tumor genotyping identifies a genetic abnormality that is potentially treatable by an… Read More »
American Income Life Supports Sarcoma Foundation Donations will help fund research and education POMPANO BEACH, FL SEPTEMBER 11, 2015 — American Income Life Insurance Company, headquartered in Waco, TX, in partnership with State General Agents Tom Williams and David Zophin, donated $10,000 to the Sarcoma Foundation of America (South Florida Chapter) as part of the Company’s Closer to the Heart program of charitable giving. Tom Williams, State General Agent of the Williams-Zophin Agency, representing American Income Life in the south Florida region, presented the donation to Bert Thomas, CEO of Sarcoma Foundation of America at Williams-Zophin’s main office in Pompano… Read More »
Brian A. Van Tine, MD, PhD Assistant Professor of Medicine, Sarcoma Program Director, Washington University in St. Louis 2013 Sarcoma Foundation of America Research Grant Recipient: “A Metabolomic Approach to Targeting ASS1 Deficient Sarcomas” 2014 Sarcoma Foundation of America Research Grant Recipient: “Targeting the Pentose Phosphate Pathway for the Treatment of Synovial Sarcoma” 2017 Sarcoma Foundation of America Research Grant Recipient: “Targeting the alterations of Lipid Metabolism in ASS1 Deficient Sarcomas to Induce Synthetic Lethality” PLEASE DESCRIBE THE FOCUS OF THE RESEARCH PERFORMED IN YOUR LAB. I am an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine at Washington… Read More »
DAMASCUS, Md. – June 23, 2015 – The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) has been awarded the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator, for sound fiscal management practices and a commitment to accountability and transparency. A 4-star rating means that the organization exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in its cause area. “The Sarcoma Foundation of America is proud to have received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator,” said SFA Chief Executive Officer Bert E. Thomas IV, PhD. “We take seriously the responsibility that we have to our donors and we work very hard to… Read More »
SARCOMA FOUNDATION OF AMERICA ANNOUNCES 2015 RESEARCH GRANT AWARDS DAMASCUS, Md. – May 28, 2015 – The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), an organization dedicated to increased awareness and research for sarcoma, today announced that it has awarded $500,000 in research funds to deserving scientists at institutions across the United States as part of its 2015 SFA Research Grant program. Ten 2015 SFA research grants, each worth $50,000, have been awarded to researchers who have made it their mission to study sarcoma, a rare cancer that arises in the body’s connective tissue. All proposals are peer reviewed by the SFA… Read More »
Kurt Richard Weiss, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Director of the Cancer Stem Cell Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center 2013 Sarcoma Foundation of America Research Grant Recipient: “Investigation Of Novel Anti-Metastatic Therapy For Osteosarcoma” PLEASE DESCRIBE THE FOCUS OF THE RESEARCH PERFORMED IN YOUR LAB. Although there are dozens of distinct histologic subtypes of sarcoma, they all share one deadly characteristic: the propensity to metastasize (spread) to the lungs. Indeed, pulmonary metastases are the main cause of mortality in sarcoma patients of all ages. Although the… Read More »
REGISTER TODAY!! CHILDHOOD CANCER ACTION DAYS WASHINGTON, DC JUNE 15-16, 2015 The Sarcoma Foundation of America, a member of the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, is pleased to announce that this year’s Childhood Cancer Action Days in Washington, DC, are scheduled for June 15-16, 2015. Once again, organizational members of the Alliance for Childhood Cancer will host a two-day event that includes issues and advocacy training, and pre-arranged Capitol Hill visits with Congressional Representatives and their staff. The Alliance’s goal is to provide the childhood cancer community – parents, children, healthcare professionals and others – with the opportunity to visit their Representatives… Read More »
Every year, the Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) honors those who have demonstrated strength and perseverance in their battle with sarcoma. On April 30, during the 13th Annual Sarcoma Foundation of America fundraiser, A Celebration of Life, the SFA will honor some very deserving individuals who have inspired other sarcoma patients by demonstrating that they do not have to be physically, emotionally or spiritually defeated by sarcoma. We are pleased to introduce you to this inspiring group of people. We hope that you will be as touched by their stories as we have been. Richard Gorlick, MD – Nobility… Read More »
SARCOMA FOUNDATION OF AMERICA ANNOUNCES 13TH ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GALA – “A Celebration of Life” -Richard Gorlick, MD, among the honorees at the cancer charity event to be held at the magnificent Capitale located at 130 Bowery, New York, NY- DAMASCUS, Md. – April 7, 2015 – On Thursday, April 30, 2015, generous hearts from all over will join the Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) at “A Celebration of Life” to raise money to continue funding innovative research for patients with sarcoma. At the gala, Richard Gorlick, MD, of the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore and SFA Medical Advisory Board, will be… Read More »
Each year, the last week of February is set aside as a time dedicated to raising awareness for the incredible needs of the rare disease community. Last month, several sarcoma advocates made the journey to Washington, DC, to participate in the activities of Rare Disease Week. Advocates from around the United States came together to participate in several events, including a legislative conference hosted by the Rare Disease Legislative Advocates (RDLA), as well as a day of meetings on Capitol Hill. During this time, advocates shared their stories with legislators and their staff to demonstrate why more needs to be… Read More »
DEC. 22, 2014 – ANN ARBOR, MICH. – Focused on their mission to identify new treatments for sarcoma, an uncommon cancer, SARC has leveraged a generous donation to secure the support of the Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) and the What Would Willie Want Foundation (QuadW) in a collaborative effort to support a new multi-institutional clinical trial of an anti-PD1 agent. The company who is providing their drug and support for the study of soft tissue sarcoma agreed to provide their drug to study bone sarcomas if additional funding could be secured. SARC secured generous commitments from the Sarcoma Foundation… Read More »
A message from Sarcoma Foundation of America CEO, Bert Thomas, PhD, MBA Dear Friend of the Sarcoma Foundation of America, As we approach the end of another year, the Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) would like to take a moment to thank you. Because of supporters like you, the SFA has been able to invest more than $5 million over the past 11 years in much needed sarcoma research. You have made the SFA the leading voice for sarcoma patients! Thanks to your generous donations this year, the Sarcoma Foundation of America has made substantial investments over the course of 2014 to advance toward the cure… Read More »
Inspired by the ALS ice bucket challenge, SFA friend and supporter Donnie Sills came up with a fun idea to bring more awareness and funding to sarcoma and childhood cancers. Donnie, who lost his wife last year to rhabdomyosarcoma, is a tireless advocate for sarcoma patients and their families. He knows first-hand how little funding goes towards sarcoma and childhood cancer research and he wants to do something about it. You can learn more about Donnie’s Pie Challenge here. Take his Pie Challenge and encourage others to do the same. Check out some of the people who have taken Donnie up on his challenge…. Read More »