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As we welcome spring, we're looking ahead to a season full of meaningful connection, education, and momentum across the Alliance community.
From fellowship and powerful stories and performances at Living Proof: a Cabaret! to the energy of our March Matching Madness campaign, this season is all about resilience, strength, and coming together in the fight against abdomnial cancers. We also continue our education series with our upcoming webinar, Demystifying Ostomies: What Patients and Caregivers Need to Know, designed to provide clarity, confidence, and support for those navigating this important aspect of care.
In addition, we’re proud to introduce two new resources on Preparing for CRS/HIPEC and Recovering from CRS/HIPEC. Created by survivors, clinicians, and our partner advocacy organizations, they offer practical guidance to help patients and caregivers feel more informed and empowered as they navigate their journey.
Thank you for being part of the Alliance community. Your support, engagement, and dedication help drive this work forward each day, and we’re honored to continue making progress together.
With appreciation,
The Alliance Team
| | Updates from the Alliance | | You're Invited to Living Proof: a Cabaret! | Through survivor 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 stand in the way of care. | |
Join us for...
- Personal stories of strength and hope
- Survivor-led performances
- Dinner, drinks, and community connection
- A powerful evening dedicated to changing the narrative around abdominal cancers
You're invited to this special new event supporting our mission to empower and connect the abdominal cancers community!
| Our Living Proof Performers | Priority Registration deadline is April 10, so Secure Your Ticket to Attend! |  
| March Matching Madness is Almost Over!!! | |
There’s still time to make your shot count—now through March 31, every donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar (up to $5,000), doubling your impact.

Don’t miss your chance to slam dunk your support and help advance education, expand awareness, and uplift patients and families facing abdominal cancers.
Give today and make it count before the buzzer sounds!
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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 | |
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CRS/HIPEC is one of the most complex surgeries performed for abdominal cancers.
Preparing physically, emotionally, and logistically can make treatment smoother and can significantly support recovery. Preparing well can reduce stress, improve recovery, and help patients and caregivers feel more in control.
This resource reviews essential steps to prepare for CRS/HIPEC treatment. Includes a hospital packing list, how to prepare your plan of care, nutrition advice, and caregiver support tips.
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  Recovering from CRS/HIPEC | ​CRS/HIPEC is a powerful treatment for abdominal cancers, offering hope to many patients. Recovery is significant and rarely linear. | Recovery for this treatment is significant and is not a straight line. You will have good days and hard days, and that’s normal. What matters is steady, gradual progress and a strong support system. This guide walks you through what to expect from the moment you wake up after surgery through your return home and long-term healing.​ | | | |  
| |   Hope Opens Possibilities - Helene's Story | | | |
For the first time since my diagnosis, I felt something shift. I was no longer alone, and I knew what I needed to do.
I was surprised by my reaction. I expected to be emotional or overwhelmed, but I was not. I was confident I could make a good decision.
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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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| When 'Too Advanced' Isn't the End: New Findings on Appendix Cancer Treatment | |
For patients diagnosed with rare and aggressive appendix cancers, treatment decisions can often feel limited—especially when the disease has spread within the abdomen. One of the key factors doctors use to guide these decisions is something called the Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI), a score that measures how much cancer is present.
Traditionally, a high PCI score has led many patients to be told they are not candidates for surgery. But new research suggests that this approach may need to change.
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Understanding Patient Experiences After Cytoreductive Surgery for Colorectal Cancer Peritoneal Metastases
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For some people with colorectal cancer that has spread to the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal metastases), treatment may include cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with HIPEC. This is one of the most complex cancer treatments available and can offer extended survival for selected patients.
While many studies focus on survival outcomes, this research aimed to better understand how patients experience recovery and life after treatment — information that can help future patients prepare for what lies ahead.
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Making Sense of Appendix Cancer Guidelines
March 26 at 7:00pm ET
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We’re proud to spotlight our partner, the Appendix Cancer / Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Research Foundation, and their upcoming educational webinar!
Join ACPMP for "Making Sense of Appendix Cancer Guidelines: What you Need to Know" which will review the newly released NCCN Guidelines for appendiceal cancer and the current Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Consortium Guidelines.
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Steps to Navigate Common Insurance Hurdles
March 24 at 1:00pm ET
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The Alliance is happy to support our partner, Triage Cancer, to share information on a FREE webinar on March 24 to learn practical steps to navigate common insurance hurdles.
This session will share tips to understand and overcome barriers such as prior authorizations, co-pay accumulators, alternative funding plans, step therapy, coverage denials, and more.
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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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