Finding out that you, a loved one, or a friend has sarcoma cancer can be a frightening and stressful experience. All sorts of questions immediately spring to mind. "Do people survive this type of cancer?" "Will I die?" "What will happen to my family?" There is a new language to learn: CT Scan, MRI, bone scan, pathology report, chemotherapy, side effects, dosing, radiation therapy and metastasis. The list of challenges seems endless, and you are not the only one who feels this way!

Sarcoma Presents Challenges to Everyone it Touches.

Patients and professionals need access to Current information about sarcomas.

There are dozens of sarcoma subtypes, and the most recent information about them is scattered around the world. Knowledge and experience with sarcoma varies among medical centers and institutions.

Sarcoma researchers need access to targeted funding.

Researchers around the world are dedicated to studying sarcomas. In order to develop better treatments, these researchers need to study the unique types of sarcoma and learn more about them. Many sarcoma researchers must rely on private funding, because government funds are used for the more well-known cancers.

Sarcoma patients and their families need support.

Many sarcoma patients and their families face financial strain, obstacles to accessing appropriate medical care, and lack of adequate social support.

The mission of the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative is to improve the quality of life for people dealing with sarcoma. The Initiative increases public awareness of sarcoma, raises funds to award research grants, and provides support and timely information to sarcoma patients, their families, and medical professionals. These efforts are achieved through collaboration with numerous individuals and organizations that share a similar vision.

To Address the Challenges Presented by Sarcomas,
the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative Seeks to:

Publish the latest sarcoma information.

The Electronic Sarcoma Update Newsletter (ESUN) is an online, peer reviewed journal that is published bi-monthly. It is accessed by physicians, nurses, patients and caregivers around the world. Much of this information has been organized in the Sarcoma Learning Center for our website visitors.

Fund sarcoma research.

The Initiative funds research targeted at finding a cure for sarcoma and research that attempts to develop more effective treatments than those currently available. Each research proposal is peer reviewed by leading sarcoma experts, and only promising studies receive funding. We hope that the results of these research studies will be stepping stones to finding a cure for sarcoma.

Provide support for patients and families.

The Initiative compiles relevant and timely online resources for patients and medical professionals. We provide personal responses to questions from patients and their families. And we coordinate the Team Sarcoma Initiative to bring communities together in support and awareness.

December 14, 2011: The December Issue of ESUN has been published. In it, you'll find a new research grant announcement and study plan, an exciting announcement about our Medical Advisory and Editorial Board, a note of thanks and more.

November 20, 2011: Tributes to the lives of Ashley Miller, Sharon Heiden and Timothy Toomey have been published.

November 15, 2011: The Initiative has released a portable guide for sarcoma patients and their families. Read all about it!

November 3, 2011: Every holiday card you send can benefit sarcoma research! A young osteosarcoma survivor has designed some beautiful cards to benefit the Initiative. Just scroll down near the bottom of the page to see her holiday designs.

October 26, 2011: The Intiative's volunteers are at the joint CTOS/MSTS Meeting in Chicago this week. Read about our efforts in today's press release!

October 12, 2011: The October Issue of ESUN has been published. In it you'll read about the European incentives for pharmaceutical companies to invest in pediatric cancer research, a report on a UPS/MFH research study, and articles translated into Chinese and Spanish.

September 28, 2011: Strike Out Sarcoma Night at Chase Field was a great success. Players on both teams wore "Strike Out Sarcoma" wristbands, and more than 200 people attended as a part of the event. Strike out Sarcoma has now raised nearly $90,000 for sarcoma research!

September 23, 2011: Tributes to the lives of Michael Williamson, Jennifer Colladay, and Dino Scoppettone have been published.

September 17: Many thanks to the 120 people who gathered to have fun and raise money for clear cell sarcoma research in memory of Steve Byrne. This special night in Philadelphia included food, music, Irish dancing and an auction. The group raised $6,800 for research!

July 10, 2011: The Strike Out Sarcoma Run/Walk was planned by Emily Nagel as a Girl Scout Project after her mother was diagnosed with sarcoma. She was surprised when more than 200 people participated, and she raised more than $3,700 for sarcoma research!

June 22, 2011: The Kenny Allen Memorial Ride for Sarcoma was covered in the local press.

June 15, 2011: The June Issue of ESUN has been published. It features an editorial introducing sarcoma terminology, an article about targeted treatment for advanced DFSP and announcements about a $50,000 grant for carcinosarcoma research and a $90,000 grant for Ewing's sarcoma research.

May 26, 2011: The Strides for Sarcoma 5k was covered in the Bayport Blue Point Patch.

May 7, 2011: The Wendy Walk - Los Angeles was covered in the Palisadian Post.

April 14, 2011: The University of Bologna and the Rizzoli Institute have published announcements about our latest grant for Ewing's sarcoma research.

April 14, 2011: The April Issue of ESUN has been published. It features an article about pre-operative chemotherapy and the announcement of a $50,000 grant for Ewing's sarcoma research and a $50,000 grant for leiomyosarcoma research.

February 15, 2011: The February Issue of ESUN has been published. It features an updated article about Ewing's Sarcoma, the announcement of a $50,000 grant for chondrosarcoma research, and the announcement of Sarcoma Tributes.

February 4, 2011: The Initiative was pleased to participate in the International Sarcoma Symposium today in Oslo, Norway. Visitors are invited to watch the opening remarks by Dr. Ola Myklebost and Bruce Shriver, as well as the outstanding sarcoma research presentations.

November 12, 2010: The Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative announced today that it is awarding a $250,000 grant to fund a global collaborative research study on liposarcoma. The unique project will be undertaken by a consortium of four investigators in three countries over the next two years. Read more....

September 25, 2010: Annina Hanlon is a 13-year-old osteosarcoma survivor who is using her talents to fund osteosarcoma research. Read more about her in the Roseville Press Tribune, and view her greeting cards here. Thank you, Annina!

August 27, 2010: Many thanks to Janet Brewster, mother of Youth Olympian Hunter Brewster, who has graciously donated her "Thank You Mom" award from Procter and Gamble to the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative.

August 1, 2010: International Sarcoma Awareness Week 2010 was a great success, with more than 21,000 participants!

June 21, 2010: The June Issue of ESUN has been published. In it, a $50,000 grant is awarded for Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor research.

April 18, 2010: The Wendy Walk to fund sarcoma research was held in Los Angeles, New York, and Miami. It raised more than $180,000 for liposarcoma research grants through the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative.

April 15, 2010: The Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative awarded a $50,000 grant for UPS/MFH research at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

December 5, 2009: All proceeds from the sale of Scott Alcott's book - I'm Not Lance! - will be donated to the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative. Read a review of the book at OncoLink.

August 31, 2009: Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute have discovered that Ewing's sarcoma patients with poor outcomes have tumors with high levels of a protein known as GSTM4, which may suppress the effects of chemotherapy. The Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative contributed a $100,000 grant toward this study. Learn more about the study's findings in "New hope for deadly childhood bone cancer" in the Sarcoma Research Center.

August 15, 2009: The Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative awarded a $25,000 grant for leiomyosarcoma research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

August 15, 2009: Final reports have come in from the teams involved in this year's International Sarcoma Awareness Week. More than 16,800 people participated in events in 14 countries, raising more than $450,000 to support various cancer centers and advocacy groups. Learn more in the 2009 International Sarcoma Awareness Week Report.