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September 24, 2024

Early Stage Investigator Training Course Nurtures More Leaders, Better Trials


Established in 1999, SWOG’s Early Stage Investigator Training Course (ESITC) provides promising clinical trialists with intensive education and mentorship. This flagship program has trained more than 120 investigators and helped to develop more than 50 studies. It has played a pivotal role in the careers of numerous SWOG leaders, including a notable fraction of SWOG’s current senior leadership team.


This year’s cohort includes Dr. Iván Lyra from our member site in Uruguay. The group of five ESIs will meet with SWOG teams in Seattle this week to develop their research proposals. 


Lyra’s project is a de-escalation trial to test whether mFOLFOX6 as an alternative to modified FLOT4 can provide similar recurrence-free survival with fewer side effects in frail and older patients with resectable gastric cancer. This has the potential to improve patient quality of life and provide cost savings.  


“One of the highlights of my involvement has been the opportunity to support other Latin American investigators,” said Lyra. “My advice for fellow researchers is to actively engage with SWOG committees, as the feedback and support are invaluable.”

Amplify the Impact

The Hope Foundation’s board of directors came together this summer to raise more than $10,000 toward our $25,000 Rising Innovator Goal to sustain member training and career development.


The board challenges you to join them by giving a gift today.


Can you give to support the work of members like Dr. Lyra? Together we can advance clinical trials and transform cancer care and treatment.

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We Hope to See You in Chicago!

We're honored to continue our support of special SWOG group meeting sessions, including the Take Action Symposium, NCORP Workshop, and Latin America Initiative update. All will be featured at the upcoming Chicago meeting, October 16-19. We're funding dozens of travelers and invited speakers to attend, and assisting committees with working group dinners, enhanced A/V, and more. 


View the full group meeting schedule here

The Hope Foundation Info Table


Visit us near SWOG meeting registration to hear more about funding opportunities, fundraising initiatives, and to pick up special items. 


We'll have:

  • Baseball caps, new T-shirts, and other great merch
  • SWOG Member Profile and 'Community Matters' stickers – wear these to show that you completed your profile and participated in the advocates' game! (see details below)
  • A 2025 wall calendar that includes funding deadlines and highlights SWOG teams and group meeting dates

The Community Advocates will host a "Community Matters" game to help educate SWOG members on the specific needs and challenges faced by different communities.


SWOG community advocates developed the game to help achieve the patient advocate committee’s vision of All Persons, All Places, All Times. Different communities – communities of race, ethnicity, geography, etc. – face their own unique challenges in dealing with cancer. The more we know about these challenges, the better we can care for and meet the needs of members of each community.


Look for Game Cards placed throughout the meeting and check out the digital ad displays near meeting registration for rules and details. Participate for the chance to win a prize!

The ctDNA Platforms Symposium

Understanding Our Options and Utility from Colleagues in Industry

Thursday, October 17, 8:30 - 10:00 am CT


A round robin of our colleagues from industry will share concise overviews of their ctDNA platforms at this Thursday morning event. They will then be available at exhibits in the Ballroom Foyer for one-on-one questions and conversations on both Thursday and Friday.

  • Tempus, Calvin Chao, MD, Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs
  •  Foundation Medicine, Mia Levy, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer
  • Natera, Minetta C. Liu, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Oncology
  • Guardant Health, Thereasa Rich, MS, CGC, Clinical Evidence Director, Global Scientific Affairs
  • Haystack Oncology, Dan Edelstein, Vice President and General Manager
  • Caris Life Sciences, Farah Abdulla, MD, FAAD, Senior Medical Director and Vice Chair, Precision Oncology Alliance

Curious About Other Ways to Support Research?


Check out this quick explainer about stock giving.

Many people choose to give from their assets – stocks, gifts from their IRA, and grants from their Donor-Advised Funds – to see even larger tax savings.

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