Member Stories

Life Raft aids GIST dads worldwide

LRG helps patients in countries where Glivec awaits official approval

As the days spring forward, Bannon reflects on her life

"We assume that tomorrow we'll greet the day as we did today. We take for granted that the people we know and love will be in our tomorrows as well."

Sile Bao

Growing up with GIST

A 15-year-old is a fighter determined to make the most out of her life

Mark Becker

'Treatment, trials and trails, oh my' but life must go on

Becker shares his experience going from clinical trial to clinical trial

Brittany Brennan

Diagnosed at age 5

Her courage and bravery give strength to us all

Pam Broadus

Laughter helps sisters battle the GIST dragon

Broadus found it important to focus on the present rather than the past

Michael Byrne

Don’t beat cancer — outrun it

After a 10½-year battle with GIST, there is little Michael Byrne can’t do

Jerry Call

The man behind the scene

Using the skills he learned helping his wife battle GIST, Jerry fights for others

Maura Cesarini

Cesarini wins 2012 Courage Award

"I try to keep on living each day, enjoying my family and friends and appreciating all that life has to offer. That�s all any of us can do...�

Donnie Chadrick

Recalling my five-year battle with the beast

Chadrick says to "Never give up! Be in charge of your own health care."

Julie Cramer

No longer content to sit on the sidelines

A member's daughter finally finds her voice and her part to play

Josalin Dunn

The youngest Life Rafter shares her advice about coping with cancer

"If you’re having a really bad day and you found out you have cancer, dance anyway!"

Andrea Fuller

Cancer boring?

Andrea Fuller knows just what will get the juices flowing

Chandell Fuqua

More than a survivor

"He doesn�t want to be the great athlete who has cancer. He just wants to be a great athlete."

Janice Gabriel

Magic Leaves

Gabriel has a beautiful vase that contains magic leaves and knows that each one represents love and wishes from her son for his mom to survive cancer.

Anita Getler

A wrinkle in time: GIST marked a new beginning for LRG member

Getler looks at everything as if it is the first time...

Rachel Gilbert

A letter from Rachel Gilbert

"Cancer is a very big part of me but I’m not going to let it hold me back. My dream is to be a famous singer which I'll try my best to achieve."

Peter Greenwood

Illustrating gives Greenwood comfort through his GIST battle

For Peter Greenwood, a successful freelance illustrator, GIST is a burden and a tool.

Rebecca Haines

Fifty-one weeks from diagnosis to remission

Gleevec, surgery, family, friends, and prayer key to a new lease on life

Becky Harper

Once a teacher, always a teacher

GIST prevented her from going back to the classroom, but she goes on

David Josephy

From biochemist to caregiver to advocate

Sister-in-law's diagnosis introduced Josephy to GIST patients' struggle

Bernie Kaplan

Back from the brink

When Gleevec fails and options narrow, stress brings on depression

Katharine Kimball

Facing GIST one surgery at a time

After multiple surgeries, Kimball is still hopeful

Ed Kreutz

Kreutz lives and works with GIST

"I try not to let cancer change me, but I have noticed intensity in emotions and how I view every day.�

Laura Kukucka

Laura sees pot o' gold, even when no one else can

"I let people think I’m just a non-drinking square, rather than explaining all the reasons why I don’t/can’t drink alcohol."

Arnold Kwart

When the patient is a doctor

Dr. Arnold Kwart learns what life is like on the other side of the desk

Estelle Lecointe

From the "Elysée" to "Le Monde", Lecointe can do it all

Lecointe is the face of GIST in France

Judi Lifton

Comapssionate use process not so compassionate

Lifton must fight to bring compassionate-use of AMN107 to her partner, Lee.

Patrick Maguire

Dancing With NED

Maguire shares how Gleevec is a crucial tool or weapon to use against GIST

Gail Mansfield

Mansfields look to the future despite worries

Gail shares how lucky she and her husband are for Tim’s restored health.

Meghan Marre

Diagnosed before 21

Meghan is enjoying relatively good health and Gleevec is working

Ellen Mayer

Painting transformed Mayer’s pain into healing

Ellen continues to fight for that peace of mind she gets when not burdened by thoughts of GIST

Jim Mills

Walking the GIST Trail again

“Trail therapy” helps Mills along his GIST journey

Nan Mustard

Experiencing GIST trials

Mustard shares her GIST journey

Ronald Newburger

It all started with a birthday colonoscopy

"You need to be your own best, well informed advocate."

Hollie Ontrop

A stitch in time: life with GIST can still exist

Ontrop discusses what it feels like when "time stops"

Jeroen Pit

Dutch GISTer raises $2M for GIST research

“If GIST cases in the US range from 5,000 to 10,000 diagnosed a year, and 10,000 people donated just ten dollars a month, we would have 1.2 million dollars a year for GIST research.”