A Cause for Hope

October 2017

Join Us on November 17th

to Create Hope Through Research

Since 2009, the Foundation's unique focus has been to fund research to improve treatments and find a cure for gastric cancer.

From creating the first HIPAA-compliant Gastric Cancer Registry, to funding brilliant young scientists who dedicate themselves to this often-neglected disease, the Foundation has established a successful track record of strategic investments in early stage research efforts that have made breakthrough discoveries.

With your support, we will continue to mobilize research that provides hope and creates progress in the search for a cure.

Approval of Two New Gastric Cancer Treatments

The first immunotherapy drug in the U.S. has been approved for gastric cancer! The Federal Drug Administration has approved the immune oncology drug, Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) for treating gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer. The treatment drug increases the immune system's ability to help detect and fight tumor cells. Patients can now try Pembrolizumab if they have advanced cancer with pathological microsatellite instability of DNA mismatch repair defects. Read more about what this means for gastric cancer patients here.

Another gastric cancer immune oncology drug has been approved for use in Japan. Opdivo (nivolumab) can now be used for the treatment of unresectable advanced or recurrent gastric cancer that has progressed post chemo. The drug, Opdivo, is the first immune oncology treatment to improve survival in patients who underwent two or more previous treatments. Read more about Opdivo here.

Board Member's Vision Leads to Innovative Clinical Trial

Jeff Schottenstein's wife, Sara, was diagnosed with gastric cancer in 2014. He immediately went to work researching potential treatments to address this rare type of cancer. In this video, Jeff and physicians at Stanford University tell the story of how he is now honoring Sara's memory by helping to launch an innovative dual-drug trial, a research effort that he and Sara envisioned together. This phase II clinical trial is focusing on two immunotherapy agents for the treatment of metastatic stomach and esophageal cancers, creating a "Legacy of Hope for Gastric Cancer Patients."

November is Gastric Cancer Awareness Month

How Can You Help?

In the words of Wayne Feinstein, former Board Chair: "The key to finding a cure is to gain visibility for the disease and invest in research."

Each of us can make a difference in the search for a cure. Think about your own community and how you might raise awareness and support research. Small efforts frequently snowball into larger endeavors over time, yet it takes someone to provide the initial momentum. Like Stacy Millich of San Luis Obispo, who raised nearly $10,000 for gastric cancer at her third annual "Guts and Butts" beach clean-up in honor of her late husband, John Gyselbrecht. For more ideas, check out firstgiving.com/gastriccancer.

Our nutrition series with Chef Hans returns in November...

Thank You to Our Corporate Sponsors:

National Sustaining Sponsor

"A Cause For Hope" Event Sponsors:

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Silver Sponsors