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As we move into the end of winter, there’s meaningful momentum across the Alliance community. We're excited to bring back March Matching Madness again this year. All gifts made March 1–31 will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000, doubling your impact on education, research, and patient support. And we're very much looking forward to Living Proof: a Cabaret!, a special evening of survivor storytelling and performance celebrating the resilience and full lives of those facing rare and advanced abdominal cancers.
With education and navigation at the heart of our mission, we're pleased to share the recording for our recent webinar on Nutrition for cancer survivors, registration for the upcoming webinar Demystifying Ostomies, and our new Cancer Recurrence and Diagnosing Cancer resources designed to help patients and caregivers navigate their journey with clarity and support. And as we enter Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we reaffirm our commitment to advocacy, early detection, and access to specialized care.
Thank you for being part of the Alliance. Your engagement, generosity, and shared commitment strengthen this work every day, and we’re grateful to continue building progress together.
With gratitude,
The Alliance Team
| | Updates from the Alliance | | You're Invited to Living Proof: a Cabaret! | Join us on Friday, April 24, in Baltimore for an inspiring evening of storytelling and performance. Living Proof: a Cabaret! will shine a spotlight on the strength, resilience, and vibrant lives of those facing rare and advanced abdominal cancers, showing the world that we are not just surviving, we are thriving. Come celebrate our community, raise awareness, and help dispel the misconceptions that can stand in the way of care. |
| March Matching Madness is Coming!!! | It’s March Matching Madness at the Alliance! Lace up and take your shot: every donation from March 1–31 will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000, giving your gift double the power to score. Dribble, pass, and slam dunk your support today to advance education, expand awareness, and help patients and families facing abdominal cancers! |
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Did you Miss the Survivors' Table? Watch it On Demand! | The Survivor's Table: Nutrition Tips for Reducing Cancer Recurrence | In this informative and practical session, we explored the connection between diet, weight, inflammation, and cancer recurrence risk. The discussion highlighted evidence-based nutrition principles to help reduce inflammation and offered realistic, sustainable strategies for maintaining a healthy weight after cancer treatment. | | |
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Upcoming Webinar
Demystifying Ostomies: What Patients and Caregivers Need to Know
| Register for the next Alliance webinar on April 21 at noon ET! Demystifying Ostomies: What Patients and Caregivers Need to Know. | |
An ostomy can feel overwhelming, especially during cancer treatment. This webinar offers clear, practical guidance to help patients and caregivers feel more prepared and confident. We'll cover why ostomies are needed, what to expect after surgery, and how to manage daily life, including appliance care, skin health, nutrition, and emotional adjustment.
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| New Resources for Patients and Caregivers on the Cancer Journey | |
For most abdominal cancers, the key challenge is timing. Early detection doesn't just save lives by improving the chances of successful treatment - it also expands treatment options. That's why awareness and participation in regular screening programs are essential components of cancer prevention and control. | | | |
Cancer recurrence means that cancer has come back after a period when it could no longer be detected. This can happen months or even years after finishing treatment. Recurrence may happen in the same place where the cancer first started, in nearby lymph nodes, or in a distant part of the body. | | | |
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March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month | |
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and we invite you to follow along as we share important information about colorectal cancer all month long. Even the most proactive patients and advocates can only act on what they know—so help us spread the word. Read our latest blog post and join us on social media as we raise awareness, share resources, and amplify patient voices.
And mark your calendar for Friday, March 6 — it’s time for our Wear Blue Campaign!
Let’s show our support in BLUE and stand with everyone affected by colorectal cancer:
- Wear blue and snap a selfie
- Post your picture to Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn and use our hashtag #BlueForTheAlliance
- Tag us @Abdominalcancers so we can share your post
Every photo spreads awareness. Every share builds community. And every donation fuels education, advocacy, and support for those navigating abdominal and peritoneal cancers.
| | | When someone finally listened - Sarah's Story | | | The Surgery That Changed Everything | I believed I was finally getting my life back. For years, my body had been in open rebellion against me. I lived with extreme abdominal pain, stabbing cramps that dropped me to the floor, fainting spells, overwhelming fatigue, and an inability to eat. What hurt almost as much as the pain was not being believed. | |
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We want to give others hope! We all have a story to tell, and we would be honored to share yours. Join us in raising awareness and send us your story today!
Submit your story here
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| Understanding New Research on Treating Peritoneal Spread of Cancer with Surgery and Heated Chemotherapy | |
This article highlights new research showing that combining cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) can be safe and beneficial for some patients with cancer that has spread to the peritoneal lining. In multicenter real-world data, selected patients experienced longer survival and better disease control compared with traditional approaches. These findings add to growing evidence that CRS + HIPEC may be a valuable treatment option when standard chemotherapy alone isn’t enough.
| | | A Blood Test That Could Help Detect Pancreatic Cancer Earlier | |
This article describes promising research that improved a blood-based biomarker panel to detect pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma earlier and more accurately than current tests by adding new protein markers to an existing panel. In two independent patient groups, this four-marker panel distinguished people with pancreatic cancer from those without, including early-stage cases, with high accuracy. If validated in larger studies, such a blood test could offer a minimally invasive way to catch pancreatic cancer sooner, when treatment options are more effective.
| | | | DECISIVE Study Update on February 26 | | |
Last year, researchers at Yale School of Medicine launched the DECISIVE study to better understand the decision-making experiences of people with peritoneal surface malignancies and their caregivers considering cytoreductive surgery. More than 140 patients and care partners shared their journeys—highlighting not just clinical outcomes, but challenges like self-advocacy, finding the right medical team, preparing for surgery, and the impact on daily life.
After a year of analysis, the team will share key findings and what’s next as they develop decision aids and resources for patients, families, and clinicians. A live Q&A with Dr. Elizabeth Godfrey and Dr. Nicole Aguirre will follow the presentation.
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Partner Spotlight: Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation | |
The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation’s mission is to find a cure for cholangiocarcinoma and improve the quality of life for those affected. CCF understands that a diagnosis can leave patients feeling isolated and afraid. CCF offers support groups, educational resources, one-on-one support, and additional support to anyone affected by cholangiocarcinoma.
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Join the Patient and Caregiver Network | |
Be a part of our dedicated network connecting patients and caregivers. Our mission is to save lives and improve quality of life by fostering a community where individuals can share experiences and find support in the face of rare and advanced gastrointestinal and gynecologic cancers.
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