WINTER 2019 NEWSLETTER

Sarcoma News Corner

A proposed Ohio law would require that insurers pay for the treatment recommended by oncologists for metastatic cancer patients, rather than a "fail-first" treatment first. Sarcoma specialist Dr. Raphael Pollock is quoted in the story. This could improve access to personalized treatments as more is known about tumor genetics. 

This fascinating article highlights researchers who have developed a way to get lasers to penetrate the body, as a phototherapy to kill tumors.

Four-time osteosarcoma survivor and college football player Casey O'Brien was honored with the Disney Spirit Award as college football's most inspirational figure. No kidding!! Read this great story here.

Researchers have found that many sarcoma sub-types shut off an important metabolic path by not producing a certain enzyme, FBP2. When researchers forced sarcoma cells to make this enzyme, the cells stopped growing. This could lead to a new line of treatment, potentially in combination with other drugs. Read this technical abstract here.

This article explains the research being done with nanoparticles that deliver RNA directly to tumor cells, in this case chondrosarcoma, to mess up the tumor cell's ability to grow and divide.

Parents in western Pennsylvania convinced the governor to fund two studies that will examine the impact of fracking on health issues, including childhood cancers and an apparent cluster of childhood Ewing sarcoma cases. Read more here.

O2H Captain Aimee Spector

Team Ocean of Hope's captain, Aimee Spector has led the team for a full and successful decade! We are so grateful for her leadership and the incredible work that she has done to support the Alliance and everyone affected by sarcoma.

Rain or shine, Aimee has been there to lead the team through ten years of waves, trainings, and competitions. With her support and encouragement, the team has not only competed in countless races but also raised over $900,000 for the Alliance while doing it. 2020 will bring changes and new leadership to the team, but we'd like to take this opportunity to thank Aimee from the bottom of our hearts. We are full of gratitude for everything that she has done during her time as O2H Captain.

Whether or not you follow Aimee and Team O2H on social media or cheer them on at races, please join us in giving Aimee a big thank you for her service and commitment to raising awareness and funds for sarcoma support.

Also, if you are interested in joining the ranks of 2020 Ocean of Hope in a volunteer role, please contact Alyssa O'Driscoll at aodriscoll@sarcomaalliance.org.