Author Archive
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 »
The White House today released a fact sheet outlining the focus of the newly formed Cancer Moonshot Task Force. Highlights of the new initiative include support for funding increases for cancer-related activities at the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration, as well as a focus on activities such as pursuing genomic analysis of tumors and efforts to discover immunotherapies and combination therapies. Please make your voice heard during this process. Share your story and how you have been impacted by sarcoma with the Vice President and the Cancer Moonshot Task Force. THE WHITE HOUSE… Read More »
In President Obama’s final State of the Union Address, he announced a new initiative focused on finding the cure for cancer. “Last year, Vice President Biden said that with a new moonshot, America can cure cancer. Last month, he worked with this Congress to give scientists at the National Institutes of Health the strongest resources they’ve had in over a decade. Tonight, I’m announcing a new national effort to get it done. And because he’s gone to the mat for all of us, on so many issues over the past forty years, I’m putting Joe in charge of Mission Control. … 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 »
Did you know that sarcomas represent 1% of all cancers but 15% of all childhood cancers? September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. For many children that means back to school and all the excitement it brings. But instead of worrying about new clothes and school supplies, children fighting sarcoma are dealing with terrifying visits to the hospital for surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments. You can help change that! Your contribution to the Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) will provide hope to a young boy like Damon, whose doctors discovered osteosarcoma in his left arm when he was just 9… 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 »
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 »
I would like to introduce Keith Famie to the SFA Family. Keith is an award-winning documentary director whose next project is about a sarcoma patient. As his website explains, “Maire’s Journey” is a “90-minute, emotionally touching documentary story that follows the final months of a 24-year old cancer patient, Maire Kent (pronounced “Mary”), and the fulfillment of her last wish for her ashes to travel to the ocean in a custom built sailboat hand-crafted by a blind carpenter.” Keith has asked that we share the following letter with everyone as he is keen to help the SFA fight sarcoma through… Read More »
Alliance for Childhood Cancer Faces of Childhood Cancer Project The Alliance for Childhood Cancer, of which the Sarcoma Foundation of America is a member, is hosting the 2014 Childhood Cancer Action Days in June. The Action Days include issues and advocacy training, and pre-arranged Capitol Hill visits with Congressional Representatives and their staff. The goal is to provide the childhood cancer community – parents, children, healthcare professionals and others – with the opportunity to visit their Representatives on Capitol Hill and advocate for the important childhood cancer issues currently before Congress. There is still time to register. Please visit the… Read More »
This past Sunday at the Sarcoma Foundation of America’s Annual Patient Educational Conference, attendees heard a very interesting presentation from Dr. Nicola Mason regarding research for a promising new therapy for osteosarcoma in canines. It was particularly exciting to learn from Dr. Mason that the preliminary data from this study shows a strong rationale to begin exploring this potential therapy in humans. A day later, Advaxis, the biotechnology company developing this potential therapy, announced in a press release that it “intends to initiate a clinical development program with its product candidate, ADXS-cHER2, for the treatment of pediatric osteosarcoma.” To give… Read More »
2014 Sarcoma Foundation of America Courage Award Recipients Every year, the Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) honors those who have demonstrated strength and perseverance in their battle with sarcoma. On May 5, during the 12th Annual Sarcoma Foundation of America Gala, the SFA will present Courage Awards to 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… Read More »
On the last day of February each year, the rare disease community unites to celebrate Rare Disease Day. In honor of this day, the community joins forces over the course of the last week of February to draw attention to the special needs of those who are dealing with rare diseases like sarcoma. While we work tirelessly every day to raise awareness, we see Rare Disease Day, and the days that lead up to it, as a wonderful opportunity to further educate the public, legislators, and government regulators about the challenges faced by those with sarcoma. As part of the… Read More »
By guest blogger, Mike Judge On August 29, 2013, I was diagnosed with cancer. Ewing’s sarcoma to be exact. What I thought was just a strained triceps ended up being cancer. I didn’t think that it was even possible to have a primary cancer in an extremity. Sarcoma? I had never heard that word in my life until I walked into the orthopedic surgeon’s office on July 26, 2013. I complained of pain that got worse over my freshman year of college at Penn State and noticed a lump in my triceps muscle towards the end of the year. Was… Read More »
Guest blogger Judith Hannan has been a writer for over 25 years. She is the author of Motherhood Exaggerated (CavanKerry Press, 2012), her memoir of discovery and transformation during her daughter’s sarcoma cancer treatment and her transition into survival. Ms. Hannan’s daughter Nadia was presented with the SFA Courage Award at the SFA Annual Gala in 2010. She is a featured speaker, a teacher of writing about personal experience to homeless mothers and at-risk adolescents and we are pleased that she has agreed to share her insights about her journey and beyond through a blog series. ————– It’s September, time… Read More »
SFA is honored to announce that, Marissa Friedman, a sarcoma survivor, runner, and Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) volunteer, kicked off the SFA’s inaugural year participating in the San Francisco Marathon on, June 16, 2013. In May 2012, at 27 years old, Marissa was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma which is found in only 800 people annually. Already a runner, she was registered for the 2012 San Francisco Marathon. Instead of spending the summer training, she was receiving chemotherapy treatment and undergoing surgery to remove the tumor which was wrapped around her femoral artery. Marissa’s strength, determination, and refusal to be… Read More »