Dr. Anette U. Duensing, MD, GIST Cancer Researcher at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Reports On Latest Research

Dr. Anette Duensing, GCRF's advisor, Associate Professor of Pathology and member of the Cancer Therapeutics Program at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute gives an update on her latest research on GIST Cancer.

Dr. Meg von Mehren, GCRF's GIST Cancer Advisor and researcher at The Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, gives an update on how GCRF has helped their research.

Not only do Fox Chase physicians have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating sarcomas, but they head panels of experts tasked with writing and updating sarcoma treatment guidelines that are used both nationally and globally. They also work with other world-renowned experts to conduct clinical trials, both for early and advanced stage sarcomas.

“When we see a patient with sarcoma, we think about how to best treat them as a team,” said Margaret von Mehren, MD, Chief of the Division of Sarcoma Oncology at Fox Chase. “Our program includes specialists in sarcoma medical oncology, surgical oncology, orthopedic surgical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology and pathology who review tumor biopsies and imaging to determine the best possible treatment for each case.”


Watch the presentation by Dr. Cristina R. Antonescu and Dr. Ping Chi on their ongoing, joint research for GIST Cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for 2020.

GIST is a rare form of cancer that most doctors misdiagnose or are not familiar with the appropriate treatment. If you or a loved-one is diagnosed with GIST, getting in touch with a physician who specializes in GIST Cancer is of utmost importance. These doctors and researchers deal with this disease on a daily basis and can help guide you to the right treatment.

In addition to the GIST Cancer Research Team of physicians, researchers and nurses, the following link will put you in touch with domestic and international GIST Cancer specialists.

In 2012, The GIST Cancer Research Fund and Robert and Tania Stutman were honored by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for GCRF’s generous donations given for GIST Cancer Research. Their names were etched into MSKCC’s donor wall for posterity. For almost twenty years, The GIST Cancer Research Fund has been tirelessly fighting to raise funds to eradicate this deadly disease with no staff, corporate headquarters or overhead. Since 2002, the foundation has raised more than $10 million and MSK has been the beneficiary of $1.6 million. Events including walkathons, 1,000-mile Cycling for a Cure bike rides, golf outings and galas now span the nation. (Other GCRF beneficiaries include Fox Chase, Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Oregon Health Sciences University Cancer Institute, and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.) At MSK, the GCRF supports the work of Dr. Antonescu and Dr. Ping Chi.

Robert and Tania Stutman join the generous philantropists including Susan G. Komen, who donate to MSKCC. The GCRF has raised $10 million dollars for GIST Cancer Research and has given 100% of these fund to finding a cure for GIST Cancer. As Tania Stutman said, ‘I’m not only battling for my life, I’m fighting for the lives of others.’”

Thank You Dr. Mike Heinrich and the Heinrich Lab For Walking For A Cure In Portland, Oregon

The GCRF is a GIST patient-run non-profit (501(c)(3)) that has supported the GIST basic research being performed in the laboratory of Dr. Michael Heinrich* here at OHSU, as well as numerous other GIST research programs around the United States, for nearly two decades. The funds donated to research from the GCRF fund research for improving the care of GIST patients. Without the support of the GCRF, the immense progress that has been made in improving GIST patient care at OHSU would not have been possible.

*Dr. Mike Heindrick has pledged to match all donations made from our participants.*

Be generous and click on the button below to donate today!

Dr. Michael C. Heinrich, one of GCRF's GIST Cancer Advisors and researcher at The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute in Portland, Oregon, gives an update of his work and progress of finding a cure for GIST.

GCRF's own GIST Cancer advisor, Dr. Ron DeMatteo, of Penn Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, begins the 2020 GCRF Virtual Walk For A Cure. He is the Chairman of the Department of Surgery and a Surgical Oncologist who specializes in treating abdominal sarcomas (GIST) and  diseases of the liver, bile duct, gallbladder and pancreas. We are so grateful to have his support in the cure for GIST Cancer.

Other GSRF Walkers include GCRF Board Member, Wendy Kapiloff and family in memory of her husband, Lenny Kapiloff.

The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute & the GIST Cancer Research Fund held a one‐day education conference on May 7 in Portland, Oregon. The conference highlighted the advancements in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) Research. Among the presenters was OHSU’s Dr. Brian Druker, developer of the drug Gleevec, Dr. Chris Corless and Dr. Michael Heinrich. A special presentation was given by Dr. Brian Druker to celebrate Tania Stuntman’s 70th birthday. After 21 years since she received her GIST Cancer diagnosis, she is still fighting and keeping hope alive.

Walt Frazier is a two-time NBA champion with the New York Knicks, a seven-time NBA All-Star and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. His retired No. 10 Knicks jersey is hanging in the rafters in Madison Square Garden. The NBA veteran is also known to be the GCRF's very own spokesperson. Walt has attended the GCRF New York Walk For A Cure for 18 years. His loyalty and commitment to GIST Cancer Research is relentless and he always finds the time to "be there" for the GIST Cancer Research Fund in good times and bad. Thank you Walt for all you have done and know that we hold a special place for you in our hearts!

A look behind the scenes in the lab of Dr. Michael Heinrich and Dr. Chris Corless at the Oregon Health & Science Center/Knight Cancer Institute. Here is an overview of the current research being performed to find a cure for GIST Cancer.

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the Gist Cancer Research Fund every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. Please support GCRF when you shop on Amazon! Click on the amazon smile logo for more information.

“I started with just a little website,” Tania says. “I went on local radio. I went to our local paper and told them my story.” In 2001, she held her first walkathon and raised $23,000. In 2018, the foundation has raised more than $10 million dollars and every penny has gone to GIST Cancer Research.

United States Senator, Charles “Chuck” Schumer graciously acknowledged the GIST Cancer Research Fund with a proclamation for the importance of the numerous contributions that the GIST Cancer Research Fund and the Walk For A Cure has made to find a cure for GIST Cancer.