Archive for the ‘blog’ Category
Join us for the next session in the Sarcoma Foundation of America’s Live Expert Chat series during Sarcoma Awareness Month. On Saturday, July 18, 2020, SFA will host a panel of sarcoma experts who will discuss the latest insights on advancements in sarcoma research. Drs. Sujana Movva, Katherine Thornton, and Jonathan Trent will share their thoughts and analysis of sarcoma research efforts that were presented during the American Society for Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) Annual Meeting in May. Webinar participants will have the opportunity to submit questions to the panel during the session. Saturday, July 18, 2020 12:00 pm EDT… Read More »
In celebration of Sarcoma Awareness Month, the Sarcoma Foundation of America invites you to join us for the National Race to Cure Sarcoma Virtual event on July 25, 2020. July is an important month for the sarcoma community because it is a time dedicated to those who have been touched by sarcoma. Although we are miles apart, we are connected through our common goal to find a cure for this disease. Join us as we virtually gather together to raise much needed awareness and research dollars in support of sarcoma patients and survivors and ultimately an end to… Read More »
DAMASCUS, Md. – May 28, 2020 – The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), an organization dedicated to increasing research and awareness for sarcoma, today announced that it has awarded three-quarters of a million dollars in research funds to deserving scientists as part of its 2020 SFA Research Grant program. Fifteen research grants, each worth $50,000, have been awarded to researchers who have made it their mission to study sarcoma, a cancer that arises in the body’s soft tissue and bone. All proposals are peer reviewed by members of the SFA Medical Advisory Board who award the grants to the best,… Read More »
Now that many states and localities are starting to lift shelter-in-place restrictions and move into phases of reopening, what do sarcoma patients need to know? As a follow-up to our April session, the Sarcoma Foundation of America is reuniting the panel of sarcoma experts to share their thoughts on how COVID-19 may continue to impact care and what sarcoma patients need to know as we begin the phases of reopening. Our multidisciplinary panel will answer your questions and address concerns on issues of care, the impact on research and clinical trials, and next steps as we move forward. Saturday,… Read More »
By Brandi Felser, Executive Director COVID-19, Collaboration & Sarcoma Treating cancer like a pandemic: Collaboration is necessary to cure sarcoma COVID-19 has hit us like a wrecking ball. There is no part of society that has gone untouched. Despite the damage this pandemic has done, there has been some positive. The “system” of science has been upended and the science community has united, focused on one goal. All of our resources are being pooled to fight this virus. Data and information are being shared in new ways, shared faster and are freely available. #MedTwitter and other science threads offer information… Read More »
The Race to Cure Sarcoma needs you now more than ever! The current COVID-19 situation has caused events all over the country to be rescheduled or canceled. At the Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), the safety of sarcoma patients and RTCS participants are our top priority. SFA is closely following federal government and individual state reopening plans and SFA is taking these plans into consideration as we make decisions to reschedule events or change to virtual events. We know we must continue our goal of supporting research that leads to life saving treatments for sarcoma patients… Read More »
“I refuse to let cancer win. Cancer will not determine how I live.” -Brittany Symonds A sarcoma diagnosis can have a life changing impact on the lives of those in our communities, but one of our advocates and Race to Cure Sarcoma Tampa participants is showing us that we do not have to let this diagnosis take away from us what we love in life. Brittany Symonds was diagnosed in summer of 2015 with leiomyosarcoma in her leg after she was injured when playing softball. This led to more than 11 surgeries, radiation, multiple scans, and having to face the… Read More »
The Sarcoma Foundation of America joined more than 50 other cancer organizations on letters to Congress and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar calling on legislators and the Administration to ensure that cancer patients have access to health coverage and treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The letters address pressing needs including oral chemotherapy parity, access to 90-day supplies of medications, and reliable access to telehealth services. Letter to Congress Letter of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) held a live, online session with a panel of sarcoma experts to discuss the impact the coronavirus pandemic is having on sarcoma patients and survivors. Panelists Brian Van Tine, MD, PhD, Washington University in St. Louis, Kurt Weiss, MD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and Breelyn Wilky, MD, University of Colorado Cancer Center, answered questions submitted by the sarcoma community. The panelists shared input on issues related to how on patients can communicate with their physicians on the risks and benefits of current care and treatment… Read More »
Like most of you, the Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) has been closely following news regarding the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. While many questions remain regarding the impact that it will have in the United States, SFA is following recommended protocol to help stop the spread by closing our office and teleworking. SFA will continue our efforts to advocate for sarcoma patients and their families and is still available to serve as a resource to the sarcoma community. You can reach the SFA by phone at 301-253-8687 or by email at [email protected]. We are evaluating upcoming events and will be announcing… Read More »
By Brandi Felser, Executive Director Twenty years later, SFA continues to be a voice and leader for the sarcoma community. Twenty years ago, before SFA, not much attention was paid to sarcoma. There were few treatment options, and no organization or institution focused on developing new therapies or expediting new treatments for patients. Sarcoma was a forgotten cancer. Fast forward 20 years. Sarcoma awareness has substantially increased, more, though not nearly enough, therapies are available, and innovative and novel agents such as immune-oncology are beginning to be applied to sarcoma. And SFA has shown that we have the ability to… Read More »
By Brandi Felser, Executive Director In my very first days on the job as the new Executive Director of the Sarcoma Foundation of America, I had the opportunity to experience first-hand the power of the sarcoma community. For the first time ever, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was reviewing for approval a proposed drug for the treatment of epithelioid sarcoma, a particularly rare and aggressive subtype of sarcoma. Epithelioid sarcoma has few effective treatment options and patients are often left with little or no hope for long-term survival. As a part of the approval process, the benefits of… Read More »
DAMASCUS, Md. – February 3, 2020 – The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), an organization dedicated to increased research, awareness and advocacy for sarcoma, announces Brandi Felser as its new Executive Director. Felser joins the SFA with more than 20 years of experience in non-profit development and management. Felser, most recently Chief Operating Officer – Chief of Staff of the National Breast Cancer Coalition, also brings to the SFA a strong background in cancer research advocacy, making her well positioned to lead the organization’s mission to advocate for sarcoma patients by funding research and increasing awareness about this rare… Read More »
Thanks to you, the Sarcoma Foundation of America has made significant investments in innovative research for new sarcoma therapies, advancing us toward a cure in our time. In 2019, SFA awarded close to $2 million in research funding, making us the leading supporter of sarcoma research in our community. Our research investments have been a catalyst to significant progress. But we know there is still much left to do. Your year-end gift will help us continue to be the leading voice for patients, survivors, and caregivers, bring more awareness to sarcoma, and make important investments in innovative research. Donate now and continue… Read More »
The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) is proud to have partnered with the My Pediatric and Adult Rare Tumor (MyPART) Network, a project coordinated through the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Center for Cancer Research (CCR). The MyPART Network is a group of patients, family members, researchers, advocates, and healthcare providers who are working together to find treatments for childhood, teen, and young adult rare solid tumors. MyPART believes that working together will help accelerate the discovery of treatments for rare cancer. The MyPART Networkwas established to bring together patients, their family members, healthcare providers, patient advocates, and researchers to… Read More »
For complete instructions and guidelines, please review the 2020 Funding Opportunity Announcement PDF. Information can also be found in the Grants FAQ. Interested parties may begin submitting grant applications on Tuesday, October 1, 2019. Grants will be reviewed by the SFA Medical Advisory Board immediately following the application deadline of 5:00 pm EST on January 31, 2020. Researchers must submit proposals electronically at proposalCENTRAL. First-time users will be required to register and complete a professional profile in order to apply for an SFA research grant. The SFA does not accept applications via e-mail.
Due to the rarity of the disease, many people are not aware of sarcoma until diagnosis. The Sarcoma Foundation of America and the sarcoma community aim to change that by bringing awareness to the disease. Our newest Public Service Announcement campaign, titled “Sarcoma Heroes,” shares the message of all of the heroes who are working to make difference and encourages listeners to join forces with them in the fight to cure sarcoma. Listen to the PSAs: “Sarcoma Heroes” 60 Second PSA “Sarcoma Heroes” 30 Second PSA The PSAs are also available at www.curesarcoma.org/sfa-in-the-news/. You can be a part of the effort… Read More »
If you have ever received a sarcoma diagnosis, our colleagues at The Cancer Support Community need your help. Read their message below to learn how you can share your thoughts on what matters most to those living with cancer. Subject: Help us understand what matters most to people with cancer! The Cancer Support Community (CSC) is looking for people to help develop a new tool to understand what matters most to people living with cancer. Please consider participating if you have ever received a cancer diagnosis, are at least 18 years old, and can read English. Participants who complete the survey… Read More »
Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer and typically produces malignant tumors derived from the connective tissue. There are more than 70 sarcoma types and subtypes. Soft Tissue Sarcoma Soft tissue sarcoma broadly defines cancers that develop in the body’s soft tissues (i.e. muscles, tendons, fat, lymph vessels, blood vessels, and nerves). While these cancers are most commonly found in the head, neck, arms, legs, chest, and abdomen, they can develop anywhere in the body. There are various different types of soft tissue sarcoma, and depending on the type of soft tissue the cancer started in, the cells will look… Read More »
DAMASCUS, Md. – June 27, 2019 – The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), an organization dedicated to increased research and awareness for sarcoma, today announced that it has awarded three quarters of a million dollars in research funds to deserving scientists as part of its 2019 SFA Research Grant program. Fifteen research grants, each worth $50,000, have been awarded to researchers who have made it their mission to study sarcoma, a cancer that arises in the body’s soft tissue and bone. All proposals are peer reviewed by members of the SFA Medical Advisory Board who award the grants to the… Read More »
DAMASCUS, Md. – November 1, 2018 – The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), the leading organization dedicated to increased research and awareness for sarcoma, today announced two research grants awarded to projects focused on the study of uterine leiomyosarcoma. Uterine leiomyosarcoma is a rare subtype of sarcoma, a cancer that occurs in soft tissue and bone. Made possible by the generosity of the Dr. Richard and Valerie Aronsohn Memorial Fund, these awards support investigative efforts by leading sarcoma researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Stanford University. These research projects are eligible for renewal, potentially bringing the SFA’s overall investment… Read More »
DAMASCUS, Md. – May 10, 2018 – The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), an organization dedicated to increased research and awareness for sarcoma, today announced that it has awarded half a million dollars in research funds to deserving scientists as part of its 2018 SFA Research Grant program. Ten research grants, each worth $50,000, have been awarded to researchers who have made it their mission to study sarcoma, a cancer that arises in the body’s soft tissue and bone. All proposals are peer reviewed by members of the SFA Medical Advisory Board who award the grants to the best, most… Read More »
Kenneth Cardona, MD, FACS, Associate Professor of Surgery, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University Race to Cure Sarcoma™ Atlanta What inspired you to specialize in sarcoma? The rarity and complexity of this disease in combination with our limited treatment options outside of surgical therapy inspired me to focus my advanced surgical training in surgical oncology on this unique disease. What is the focus of the research performed in your lab? I am the lead and principal investigator of the Unites States Sarcoma Collaborative, which is a multi-institutional research effort amongst 8 academic institutions across the US studying this rare… Read More »
DAMASCUS, Md. – March 1, 2018 – The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) today announced that renown orthopedic surgeon James C. Wittig, MD, is the 2018 recipient of the organization’s prestigious Nobility in Science Award. Dr. Wittig is being recognized for his contributions to sarcoma cancer research, treatment, education, and advocacy during a ceremony at the SFA’s 16th Annual fundraising event, Stand Up to Sarcoma, on Thursday, May 3, 2018, at Guastavino’s in Manhattan. The Nobility in Science Award is given to an outstanding scientist who is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge of sarcoma and works tirelessly to find new… Read More »