Blog & News
Understanding Mental Health in Rare Soft-Tissue Tumor Patients: Take the Survey and Share Your Insights
Mental health in patients with rare soft-tissue tumors What is this online survey about? The purpose of this survey is to learn about the experiences and challenges of individuals with soft-tissue tumors. In doing so, we focus on a variety of mental health-related aspects which will help to gain a better understanding of patients…
Read MoreJoin our next Knowledge Spot Webinar – November 21st, 2023
Open clinical studies in soft tissue sarcomas, GIST and bone sarcomas Speakers: Nathalie Gaspar, France & Robin Jones, UK For rare cancers as sarcomas, clinical trials are an important part of the treatment concept, as standard therapies are often limited. They might be able provide an improved care for current patients, but they will certainly help…
Read MoreHow to Successfully Engage Policymakers for Sarcoma Patients
In this post, we focus on one specific aspect where Sarcoma UK has really set a standard: How to advocate for changes at the policy level. Richard Davidson, Chief Executive of Sarcoma UK, shares his insights into policy and public affairs work in a talk with SPAGN Volunteer Gabi Ott. What started off as a patient-led information hub for sarcoma patients, is today an influential charity. On 25 September 2023, the Cancer Research Day, Sarcoma UK hosted a reception in Downing Street alongside Chancellor of the Exchequer Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP. Other special guests included celebrity ambassadors like ambassadors TommyInnit and DJ Graeme Park.
Read MoreI Lost My Son and Found My Purpose
We spoke with the founder of the first sarcoma organization in Bulgaria, Lidiya Vitanova, who lost her young son, Niki, to sarcoma. Lidiya talked to us about the sarcoma situation in her country as well as her motivation and goals for improving the outcomes of people diagnosed with sarcoma and other rare diseases.
Read MoreCheck It Out!
Sarcoma patient and patient advocate Roger Wilson shares his experience of finding a lump – what happened and what he learned.
Read MorePatient Advocacy @CTOS 2023
It is our great pleasure to announce that patient advocacy will once again have a well-earned place at the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) Annual Meeting. We will be hosting the Patient Advocacy Lounge at CTOS 2023 in Dublin: Patient Advocacy Lounge Liffey Hall 2, Convention Centre Dublin Open from Thursday, November 2 –…
Read MoreQuality of life in sarcomas?
Incorporating the patient voice in sarcoma research: How can we assess quality of life of sarcoma patients? Soft tissue and bone sarcoma patients form a diverse and rare patient group. Quality of life questionnaires used in research and clinical practice are not always complete and relevant for the unique experiences of this patient group. Take…
Read MoreRead the latest in our SPAGN Newsletter!
The last few months have been filled with activities, from the SPAGN Annual Conference and New Horizons GIST to our surveys and now Sarcoma Awareness Month in July. And there’s more to come. Read on here in our latest newsletter (July 2023) to learn what the SPAGN team has been up to . Want to…
Read MoreWhen the Patient Becomes the Researcher
Dr. Sydney Stern, biomedical scientist and patient advocate, describes her personal journey as a patient with a rare tumor disease and her quest for answers through science. She calls for patients to get involved in research and outlines options for doing so.
Read MoreFacilitating Collaboration in Sarcoma Care
In this interview, SPAGN Communications Director Cory Archibald speaks with Dr. Bernd Kasper, to learn about the role of patient advocacy groups like SPAGN in strengthening global cooperation to improve patient outcomes.
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