More than $250k Raised!

November 2018

A Cause for Hope Raises More Than $250k for Gastric Cancer Research & Awareness Programs

On November 9th, supporters of the Gastric Cancer Foundation gathered to celebrate and support A Cause for Hope, the Foundation's ninth annual fundraising event.

As live music and magic filled the venue, the event shone a light on a hopeful future powered by research. Sponsors, researchers, board members and supporters used their collective power to demonstrate belief in the search for a cure by bidding on exciting auction items and donating to the Foundation.

Thanks to this generosity, the event raised more than a quarter-million dollars to power gastric cancer research and programs.

A Cause for Hope's event chair, Jeff Netzer, emceed the evening, sharing how his family became involved with the Foundation when his wife was first diagnosed with gastric cancer.

"I am so appreciative of the friends of Gastric Cancer Foundation. Our board, our sponsors, and our guests all played a part in bringing alive the theme of Believe and made the event such a success. It was a special night for an even more special cause."

- Jeff Netzer, Foundation Board Member and Cause for Hope 2018 Event Chair

Check out more photos from the event photobooth here.

Missed the event? You can still be a part of the effort to fund gastric cancer research by making a donation today!

Research Roundup: Lonsurf Received Priority Review for Metastatic Gastric Cancer

A new study presented at the ESMO World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer 2018 and published in The Lancet Oncology found Lonsurf (trifluridine/tipiracil) can cut the risk of death by 31% (extension of 2.1 months) in patients with heavily pretreated metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers compared to a placebo. Read more about the research findings here. Based on this and prior research, the drug has received FDA priority review and an anticipated Prescription Drug User Fee Act action date in February 2019. Read more about the FDA process here.

Follow us on social media for the latest research news and visit gastriccancer.org for all of the latest news about research progress.

How Can You Participate in a Clinical Trial?

"One of the most frustrating experiences for patients battling gastric cancer is trying to find appropriate clinical treatment trials among the burgeoning national database of trials."

- Alice Leung, Gastric Cancer Foundation Co-Chair

Gastric Cancer Foundation's clinical trial navigator is a new tool to help patients and families become informed about the range of options that can be considered and available as part of the treatment journey. The goal is to simplify the process of learning about clinical trials and to guide patients to trials that match their particular diagnosis and condition. Participation in clinical trials helps advance research and moves us all closer to better treatments and a cure.

We urge patients and families to take the first step: Speak with a trained navigator to learn more about this resource and be guided through the process of registering and exploring clinical trial options. The service is free.

Contact the Clinical Trial Navigator Service, share the Clinical Trial Navigator on Facebook or Twitter, or

Thankful Thanksgiving Table

The holidays can be tricky for gastric cancer patients and survivors who have had a full or partial gastrectomy, making it all the more important to find healthful and easy meals that are enjoyable to make.

As a gastric cancer survivor, board member and "Chef without a Stomach," Hans Rueffert, encourages us to celebrate our time in the kitchen by preparing a cranberry sauce recipe that takes just ten minutes to make! By substituting honey for refined sugar, this cranberry sauce packs a punch with a lower glycemic index and a higher calorie density. It's a perfect sweet side, just in time for Thanksgiving.

Special thanks to Merck & Co., Inc. for supporting this video series through an educational grant. Subscribe on YouTube so you never miss an episode!

Have a question for Hans? Email it here.

Special Thanks to Our Corporate Sponsors

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