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Local Events Making a World of Difference
When Liddy Shriver and six friends mounted their bicycles to ride as "Team Sarcoma" in Cycle Zydeco in 2003, they started a global movement. Their vision was to increase sarcoma awareness and raise money for sarcoma research, which is the vision of everyone involved in Team Sarcoma today.
Each year, more and more people have joined in the Team Sarcoma Initiative. Caring individuals, families and communities share in the excitement by volunteering to host a variety of local events. These events have become a source of hope and have raised nearly two million dollars to benefit the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative's Research Grants Program. This unique program uses at least 97% of donations to fund peer-reviewed research by sarcoma specialists.
Why Team Sarcoma?
Sarcomas affect thousands of people around the world; yet they are rare cancers that receive limited research funding. Many sarcomas are not fully understood, and this makes them difficult to treat. Even though the need for sarcoma research is great, most cancer research funds are used for the more well-known cancers.
The good news is that people affected by sarcoma can make a significant impact by choosing to advocate for sarcoma-specific research! Nearly all of the cutting-edge research funded by the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative has been raised by inspiring families and communities at Team Sarcoma events. By bringing families and communities together in a global effort, each Team Sarcoma event amplifies every voice, increases sarcoma awareness, and creates lasting supportive connections.
"Pharmaceutical companies, not even Congress, can do nearly as much for stimulating new cures as can the grass roots efforts of the public."
Dr. Charles Keller
Upcoming Events
September 11: River Region Open Car and Truck Show
Montgomery, Alabama: The GM High Performance Club will raise funds at this event to suport sarcoma research in memory of Michael Lio. Supporters are invited to attend the event and to help Strike out Sarcoma!
September 18: Alcatraz Swim for Sarcoma
San Francisco, California: Heather Robinson and Debbie Minter will "Swim for Sarcoma" in the 15th Annual Alcatraz Invitational.
A Few of our Past Events
July 2010: 3rd Annual Soccer Round the Clock
Jackson, Michigan:
The family of Logan Brasic, a sarcoma survivor, planned this incredible event that was featured in the local press. Hundreds of people battled the elements that ranged from blistering heat to torrential downpours to play 24 hours of soccer! Approximately 600 people were involved, and $5,000 was raised for sarcoma research.
July 2010: Strike Out Sarcoma Night
Phoenix, Arizona: The family and friends of Michael Lio have raised more than $27,000 in a series of events leading up to Strike out Sarcoma Night in Phoenix. More than 150 people attended the evening baseball game, and the event was covered in several different media outlets.
June 2010: Kenny Allan Memorial Ride for Sarcoma
Mancelona, MI: This Harley ride raised more than $25,000 for the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative in memory of Kenny Allan.
Live entertainment, raffles and an auction followed the ride.
April 2010: The Wendy Walk
Los Angeles, Miami and New York: These walks were held in three major cities on the same day and raised more than $225,000 for sarcoma research. The events were created and organized by Ali, Matt and Jackie Landes, to support their mom, who has liposarcoma.
July 2009: Be a Superhero: Team Sarcoma 5k
Waco, Texas: Benjamin, the brother of a sarcoma survivor, planned this event, where more than 350 turned out to race through the streets of Waco. The local news covered the story on video, and nearly $10,000 was raised for sarcoma research.
July 2009: A Night of Tumorous Comedy
Denver, Colorado: Sara Alan, a sarcoma survivor, planned "A Night of Tumorous Comedy" to benefit sarcoma at the Bovine Metropolis Theater in Denver. The show was featured in the Denver Post and in an online local magazine, The Examiner. There was a near-sold-out crowd, and about $1,000 was raised for sarcoma research through the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative.
February 2008: The Facebook Causes Giving Challenge
Online: Mary Sorens, a sarcoma survivor, entered the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative into the Facebook Causes Giving Challenge. The online contest challenged charities to find the most donors who were willing to give just $10 to their cause. More than $17,000 was raised and an additional $13,000 was won in the challenge to support sarcoma research.
I'm Not Lance
Scott Alcott is a Ewing's sarcoma survivor who is donating the proceeds of his book to the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative. Scott hopes that his book will help others to feel understood, supported and prepared to deal with sarcoma.
Scott writes: "I'm Not Lance! is not an autobiography. It has many moments of controversy and sometimes blunt assessments. I've dared to say what patients, supporters, and doctors actually think, with an eye on raising understanding and better dynamics between these wonderful and caring people."
The Circle
Singer songwriter Ron Martin is a multi-instrumentalist from North Carolina. He is sharing the proceeds from the sale of his CD, The Circle, with the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative to help fund sarcoma research.
Just Enough Grace
A sarcoma survivor and mother-of-four, Heather Nations has written an interactive devotional and journal about life's challenges. A portion of sales will be donated to the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative.
The Faces of Sarcoma
More than 500 people have contributed to this beautiful collection of photographs that honors patients, survivors, and those who have lost their lives to sarcoma. Send us a photo today. You can help by resizing your photo to 600 pixels wide (or less) and cropping it to focus on one person's face.
Journeys in Sarcoma
You can be a great encouragement to others by sharing your journey with sarcoma. We welcome submissions in the form of essays, poetry, photographs, and visual arts. Please share your journey or that of a loved-one or friend.
Past Online Initiatives
Moments in Sarcoma
In 2009, we invited people who have been affected by sarcoma to share a moment with us in writing. We received more than 140 submissions from around the world, and we were touched by experiences of joy, laughter, love, grief, hope and determination. One of these special Moments in Sarcoma was published every day from April through August, 2009.
Everyday Heroes
In 2010, we invited people who have been affected by sarcoma to tell us about their heroes. We received more than 100 submissions about people who have made a world of difference in the lives of those touched by sarcoma. One of these heroes was highlighted everyday from June through August, 2010. Several winners were chosen, and donations were made to sarcoma research in their honor.
Volunteer to Lead a Team
The Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative invites you to host an event in your neighborhood to support sarcoma research. Choose an activity that will interest your community, and choose a time of year that works best for you. You can even target the donations you receive toward a specific type of sarcoma research through our renowned Research Grants Program. Help us change the world for everyone facing sarcoma!
How does it work?
Planning a Team Sarcoma event is an incredibly rewarding experience. It provides an opportunity to do something hopeful in the face of a difficult disease. As a team leader, you will choose an activity based on your interests and the interests within your community. Common choices include:
- picnics
- walks and runs
- bicycle and motorcycle rides
- letter-writing campaigns
When you contact us about Team Sarcoma, we will talk with you about your personal connection to sarcoma, along with your wishes and creative ideas. We will provide:
- Literature, graphics and videos for you to use at your event
- Suggestions and ideas based on our past experience with similar events
- Tips on communicating and marketing your event
- "Sarcoma Knows No Borders" bracelets for everyone who makes a $5 donation at your event
- Promotion of your event on our website, and a published article after the event that describes your accomplishments
- Information about our research grants program and tax status, along with guidance about accepting donations
Create a Tribute
Writers, artists and businesses are invited to donate a portion of their sales to sarcoma research through the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative. These tributes are a valuable part of the Team Sarcoma Initiative! Contact us to learn more.
