- The Challenge
- The Mission
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Finding out that you, a loved one, or a friend has cancer can be a frightening and stressful experience. All sorts of questions immediately spring to mind. "Do people survive this type of cancer?" "Will I die?" "What will happen to my family?" There is a new language to learn: CT Scan, MRI, bone scan, pathology report, chemotherapy, side effects, dosing, radiation therapy and metastasis. The list of challenges seems endless, and you are not the only one who feels this way!
Sarcoma Presents Challenges to Everyone it Touches.
Patients and professionals need access to the latest information about sarcomas.
There are dozens of sarcoma subtypes, and the most recent information about them is scattered around the world. Knowledge and experience with sarcoma varies among medical centers and institutions.
Sarcoma researchers need access to targeted funding. Researchers around the world are dedicated to studying sarcomas. In order to develop better treatments, these researchers need to study the unique types of sarcoma and learn more about them. Many sarcoma researchers must rely on private funding, because government funds are used for the more well-known cancers.
Sarcoma patients and their families need support. Many sarcoma patients and their families face financial strain, obstacles to accessing appropriate medical care, and lack of adequate social support.
The mission of the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative is to improve the quality of life for people dealing with sarcoma. The Initiative increases public awareness of sarcoma, raises funds to award research grants, and provides support and timely information to sarcoma patients, their families, and medical professionals. These efforts are achieved through collaboration with numerous individuals and organizations that share a similar vision.
To Address the Challenges Presented by Sarcomas,
the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative Seeks to:
Publish the latest sarcoma information: The Electronic Sarcoma
Update Newsletter (ESUN) is an online, peer reviewed journal that is published bi-monthly. It is accessed by physicians, nurses, patients and caregivers around the world. Much of this information has been organized in the Sarcoma Learning Center for our website visitors.
Fund sarcoma research: The Initiative funds research targeted at finding a cure for sarcoma and research that attempts to develop more effective treatments than those currently available. Each research proposal is peer reviewed by leading sarcoma experts, and only promising studies receive funding. We hope that the results of these research studies will be stepping stones to finding a cure for sarcoma.
Provide support for patients and families: The Initiative compiles relevant and timely online resources for patients and medical professionals. We provide personal responses to questions from patients and their families. And we coordinate the Team Sarcoma Initiative to bring communities together in support and awareness.
