SFA Honors Johns Hopkins’ Devon Ciampa, LCSW-C, OSW-C, with 2022 Compassionate Care Award
The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), an organization dedicated to increasing research and awareness for sarcoma, today announced that Devon Ciampa, LCSW-C, OSW-C, will receive the Compassionate Care Award during SFA’s Stand Up to Sarcoma Gala on September 28, 2022, in New York, NY. The SFA Compassionate Care Award is given annually to recognize a patient/nurse navigator (clinical/nurse, community health worker, social worker in the role of a navigator) for his or her outstanding contributions to patient care, support or education. Ciampa was nominated by the family of Officer Spencer Butler Wiersberg. The family stated, “Devon understood the unique struggles… Read More »
SFA Accepting Applications for Funding into Human Sarcoma Translational Research
The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) is pleased to announce a research funding opportunity to provide one-year grants of $150,000, to support translational science research on the etiology, molecular biology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of human sarcomas. Completed applications must be submitted by October 1, 2022, at 5:00 pm ET. This grant mechanism is available for sarcoma researchers to provide funding to strengthen the resubmission of a National Cancer Institute (NCI) NCI R01 proposal where the member is the project director and principal investigator on the application. The R01 must have scored in the 30th percentile or better, but outside… Read More »
SFA Honors Stanford University Researcher Crystal L. Mackall, MD, with 2022 Nobility in Science Award
The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), an organization dedicated to increasing research and awareness for sarcoma, today announced that Crystal L. Mackall, MD, will receive the Nobility in Science Award during SFA’s Stand Up to Sarcoma Gala on September 28, 2022, in New York, NY. The Nobility in Science Award is given annually to a deserving, visionary sarcoma surgeon and researcher who has taken on an integral role in advancing drug development for sarcoma patients. Awardees receiving this honor have contributed in a significant way to the advancement of science, care and treatment for sarcoma patients. Dr. Mackall is the… Read More »
SFA Partners with Jordan’s Dream Fund to Assist Sarcoma Patients with Out‐of‐Pocket Clinical Trial Expenses
The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), an organization dedicated to increasing research and awareness for sarcoma, today announced that it has launched the Jordan’s Dream Fund for Clinical Trials to help cover out-of-pocket expenses for sarcoma patients participating in clinical trials. There is no fund like it in the sarcoma community. This program will provide assistance with direct expenses related to transportation (airfare, gas, rental cars, etc.), lodging and some medical expenses not covered by insurance and necessary for clinical trial treatment. Grants up to $5,000 will be awarded four times each year in September, November, February and May. Adjusted gross… Read More »
Sarcoma Foundation of America announces 2022 Research Grant Awards
The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), an organization dedicated to increasing research and awareness for sarcoma, today announced that it has awarded close to $1 million in research funds to deserving scientists as part and of its 2022 SFA Research Grant Program. Nineteen 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. Grants were funded in seven different countries: United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands. All proposals are peer reviewed by members of the… Read More »
NFL SAN FRANCISCO 49ER TRENT WILLIAMS TO SERVE AS AMBASSADOR FOR SARCOMA FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
— Williams to receive organization’s Courage Award at virtual ceremony September 28 — WASHINGTON, D.C.; SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 — The Sarcoma Foundation of America announced today that San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams will receive the organization’s 2021 Courage Award as well as serve as a Sarcoma Foundation Ambassador. In this role, the organization looks forward to Trent discussing his own experience with sarcoma — including surgery to remove the tumor from the soft tissues near his brain — as well as his recovery and return to NFL football. “Sarcoma is the rarest and most underfunded… Read More »
Uncover principles underlying cryoablation-induced immunotherapy effects in sarcomas
Malignant sarcomas comprise 12% of all pediatric cancers. Despite its rare occurrence, sarcomas are life threatening and difficult to treat, and nearly half of all patients will have recurrence and metastasis. The two most prevalent sarcomas in the pediatric and adolescent population are Osteosarcoma and Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most prevalent malignant bone cancer with a high propensity for lung metastasis in children and adolescent and young adults (AYA), with ~400-600 cases a year in the United States. Despite aggressive chemotherapy and surgery, the outcome for unresectable pulmonary metastatic or recurrent/refractory OS remains poor over the past 4… Read More »
Dissecting the contribution of germline genetics to pediatric sarcoma pathogenesis
Amongst pediatric cancers, bone and soft tissue sarcomas are often associated with the poorest prognoses and most limited effective treatment options. Understanding the genetics that predispose to the development of childhood cancers generally, and sarcomas specifically, is critical to discover novel mediators of oncogenesis, better screen children at-risk, and enable earlier diagnoses that could make cure more achievable. Prior research has suggested that while 7-10% of all pediatric cancers arise in part due to pathogenic germline variants in cancer predisposition genes, this rate may be >20% in many sarcomas. Existing work has largely focused on the role of germline single… Read More »
Virtual Advocacy Day
By Brandi Felser, CEO Advocating on behalf of those impacted by sarcoma has been a core principle of the Sarcoma Foundation of America’s mission since the organization was founded in 2001. The SFA continues to be actively engaged in the public policy arena, urging legislators and regulators to place a high priority on rare cancer research, drug development, and access to quality patient care. We are also actively engaged in coalitions like the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, the Cancer Leadership Council, One Voice Against Cancer and many others where we actively engage in advocacy letters to Members, action items and… Read More »
Legislation
Public Policy Issues that SFA Supports SFA has joined 99 rare disease health organizations and NORD in signing a letter urging the resumption of Congressional negotiations to develop a comprehensive FDA user fee package. This legislation would accelerate the FDA’s ability to review critical products to treat patients fighting serious conditions including sarcoma. Read the letter here. SFA joined ASCO’s and Alliance for Childhood Cancer’s endorsement letters in support of the Clinical Treatment Act. A bipartisan bill to expand access to clinical trials. Read text of the bill here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/913/text Read text of the letters and an infographic here: Alliance for… Read More »
Sarcoma Foundation of America Announces 2020 Research Grant Awards
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 »
Twenty Years of the SFA
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 »
Sarcoma Foundation of America Announces Brandi Felser as Executive Director
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 »
Joanne Green
Two years ago, Joanne Green, our beloved mother, grandmother, wife, sister, daughter and friend, was undergoing a routine procedure when we learned she had a rare cancer called uterine leiomyosarcoma. Sarcoma is an aggressive type of cancer that arises in the soft tissue and bones of the body. It is a rare cancer in adults, but rather prevalent in children, making up about 20% of all childhood cancers. It is associated with high levels of recurrence and metastasis, and unfortunately the treatment options currently available show limited levels of success. Joanne was the light of our family with a deep… Read More »
Don Hurd
Don recently passed away from GIST (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Sarcoma) and David passed about 3.5 years ago from Liposarcoma. Sarcoma is a rare cancer in adults (1% of all adult cancers), but rather prevalent in children (about 20% of all childhood cancers). It is made up of many “subtypes” because it can arise from a variety of tissue structures. At any one time, about 50,000 patients and their families are struggling with sarcoma. Approximately 15,000 new cases are diagnosed each year nearly 6,000 people die each year from sarcoma. This campaign is in honor of them both to raise awareness… Read More »
Sarcoma Foundation of America Announces 2019 Research Grant Awards
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 »
Sarcoma Foundation of America Announces New Grant Awards for Uterine Leiomyosarcoma Research
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 »
Andrew Fundack
On April 7th 2017 my brother Andrew was diagnosed with Stage IV Rhabdomyosarcoma. He underwent intensive chemotherapy, radiation, and physical therapy over the course of 10 months. He was courageous, heroic and a constant warrior he kept a smile on his face at all times throughout his fight and he beat every obstacle in his way. Andrew was cancer’s greatest opponent thorough it all he remained positive his spirit was contagious. Sadly, in January 2018 we found out that the Chemotherapy was no longer working and the cancer had spread to the brain and bones. Andrew continued to fight never… Read More »
Sarcoma Foundation of America Announces 2018 Research Grant Awards
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 »
Plexin-Semaphorin: a new signaling axis in Sarcomas
The Plexin-Semaphorin pathway is previously unexplored as a target in sarcomas but may play a central role in the progression of the soft tissue sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma. Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in childhood, and the alveolar subtype of this tumor is known to have the poorest prognosis. More than half of children have unresectable primary tumors or metastatic tumors at diagnosis, and survival for non-localized unresectable recurrent disease is only 8 percent. Therefore, development of novel therapeutic strategies is urgently needed to improve cure rates. Our laboratory has developed a novel mouse model of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma by… Read More »
Sarcoma Foundation of America to Present Dr. James Wittig with the Nobility in Science Award
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 »
2017 Year in Review
We are nearing the end of the first month of 2018 and the sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) is grateful for everything that you’ve done in 2017. Your work makes a difference in the lives of sarcoma patients and their families While we can’t wait to see what the rest of 2018 will bring, we first want to take a moment to look back on the previous year. Thanks to your support and generosity, the Sarcoma Foundation of America had an exceptional 2017! In 2017, your gifts: Funded more than three quarters of a million dollars in sarcoma research. … Read More »
My Sarcoma Story – Robert
I was 29 years old. In good shape and making big moves in my life. I was transitioning into a new career after leaving a business I co-founded. I had met the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with and was finally starting to grow up after a decade of really living up to my millennial generalizations. I felt really excited about where my life was headed. Then I went in for an MRI to check out what was going on with my shoulder. I thought I had torn something working out. After a three week diagnosis,… Read More »
Sarcoma Foundation of Announces 2017 Research Grants
DAMASCUS, Md. – May 24, 2017 – 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 2017 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 rare 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… Read More »
Damon Billeck
Damon Billeck – It started with a hug on January 31, 2014. Damon’s mother wrapped her arms around him and felt something hard on his left arm. Damon’s dad, Brian, was at work, so she took him to an urgent care facility around 10:30 PM. The doctor took an X-ray, had a suspicion, and sent them to a nearby hospital for further testing. The doctor told them, “There is no way to sugarcoat this, Mr. Billeck. Your son has cancer and we have to deal with it immediately.” Damon was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age nine. After being told he… Read More »