The 2011 DTRF Patient Symposium and
Running for Answers 5K Fundraiser are a Big Success!

On October 22, 2011, 120 patients, family members and friends attended our 5th Annual Patient Symposium at the Philadelphia Marriott Courtyard Downtown. Our distinguished speakers were Andrew J. Wagner, MD, PhD from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Arthur P. Staddon, MD from the Joan Karnell Cancer Center at Pennsylvania Hospital, Richard B. Womer, MD from the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania, and Joseph P. Erinjeri, MD, PhD from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Soft Tissue Sarcoma Disease Management team.

The patient symposium was followed by our second annual Philadelphia Running For Answers Race/walk. An incredible 500 runners joined in the 5K race/walk and kids fun run through Fairmont Park on a beautiful crisp, sunny fall day. Click here For information and photos for the 2011Running for Answers 5K

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Subjects discussed included tumor biology and current treatments, desmoid tumors and pediatrics, ablation therapies, and the promise shown for desmoid treatment in ongoing Sorafanib (Nexavar) and Hydroxyurea studies.

We had the honor to acknowledge Dr. Thomas Ryan, a benefactor of DTRF who allows us to further research and reach our goals.

Kevin Reilly, a former NFL player whose career with the Philadelphia Eagles was cut short by an arm and shoulder amputation from a desmoid tumor, gave an inspiring talk on how desmoid patients and their supporters can and must move forward despite obstacles of pain, treatments, surgeries and disability.

The Symposium left us all better informed and armed with hope for the future through continued research. It is always so moving to meet the attending desmoid tumor patients and hear their stories. It is heartening to hear how DTRF is reaching patients around the world and assisting with critical information and hope to help them navigate their medical journeys.

We raised approximately $150,000 for desmoid tumor research!! This year we had extraordinary participation from patients and their families as they initiated individual and team fundraising efforts.There were several teams and individuals that raised over $10,000 each!A few individuals even raisedover $16,000 to help further the cause. Their hearts and hopes were in every dollar raised.

This incredible weekend left us renewed and invigorated in our mission to fund research for a cure!

We look forward to seeing you at next years event. Stay posted!

Our distinguished list of speakers included:

Andrew Wagner, MD, PhD
Dr. Wagner is a Medical Oncologist at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and an instructor of Medicine at Harvard Medical Center. His interests are with soft tissue sarcoma, bone sarcomas, GIST, and developmental therapeutics.

Richard B. Womer, MD
Dr. Womer is a Professor of Pediatrics at The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. His interests include clinical and "translational" research on the diagnosis and treatment of childhood sarcomas

Arthur Staddon, MD
The University of Pennsylvania -Dr. Staddon is a Medical Oncologist and is Director of the Joan Karnell Cancer Center and Director of the Bone or Soft Tissue Sarcoma Program.

Erinjeri, MD, PhD
Dr. Erinjeri is an Interventional Oncologist and member of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Soft Tissue Sarcoma Disease Management Team with a particular interest in the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma. He is an expert in image-guided thermal ablation of tumors.

Kevin Reilly
Former Philadelphia Eagle and desmoid tumor survivor Kevin Reilly helped build enthusiasm for the event with several PSA’s on ABC television and local radio stations. He gave a moving talk on how desmoid patients can and must move forward despite obstacles of pain, cancer treatments, surgeries and even disability, such as the arm and shoulder amputation that he personally suffered

Thomas Ryan, MD
Dr. Ryan has been a major benefactor of DTRF through the James R. Ryan Family Foundation. He has been practicing as an orthopedic surgeon for the past 23 years with a special interest in hip and knee replacements and is director of the Orthopedic trauma at Borgees Hospital. In 2003, his youngest son, Sean was diagnosed with an abdominal desmoid tumor and treated with gleevic under a research protocol at University of Michigan. This explains the natural interest and support of the DTRF.

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Patient Support Meeting

The 2011 DTRF Patient Symposium and Running for Answers 5K Fundraiser are a Big Success!

Our distinguished list of speakers included:

The 2011 DTRF Patient Symposium and
Running for Answers 5K Fundraiser are a Big Success!