11-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Leads Community in Raising Awareness and Funding for Sarcoma Research

Sarcomas are cancers that attack bone and soft tissue in arms or legs. Approximately 12,000 people a year in the U.S. are diagnosed with sarcoma. The aggressive cancer is more common in children. What is unique about this cancer is that it might be ideally suited for immunotherapy approaches, but no more than $5-10 million is spent on NCI Sarcoma research, representing an urgent need for this community. For reference, approximately $314.6 million is spent on lung cancer research and more than $600 million is spent on breast.

 

This Saturday, the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore and Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative are holding their 9th Annual “Stomp out Sarcoma Day” at Van Cordtlandt Park in the Bronx as part of a worldwide initiative aimed at increasing sarcoma research. The event includes –

  • Patients, their families, hospital staff and community members walking 1.5 miles
  • ·        Speeches by sarcoma patients, including sarcoma survivor 11-year-old Sean Davis. Sean used a wheelchair to participate in last year’s event to raise research funds and disease awareness.

o    This year, Sean is cancer-free, can walk again and will be speaking about his personal experience. He and his mother are available for interviews, and can be available before the event. When asked to give a speech, Sean’s reply was “I was born for this.”

  • Entertainment, raffles, arts & crafts

 

 

 

 

Young People Impacted by Cancer and Their Families Get Set to “Stomp Out Sarcoma”

 

Patients, Montefiore Pediatric Specialists and Community Members to Raise Funds for Medical Research

 

WHAT:            Patients, their families, staff from the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) and community members will walk 1.5 miles this Saturday, July 19 as part of a worldwide initiative aimed at increasing sarcoma research. Almost 200 people attended last year’s walk, including patients who suffer from sarcomas, cancers that attack bone and soft tissue in arms or legs. Approximately 12,000 people a year in the U.S. are diagnosed with sarcoma. The aggressive cancer is more common in children. The walk, which is co-sponsored by the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative, kicks off with attendees circling Van Cortlandt Park.

 

Following the walk, inspirational speeches will be delivered by people like sarcoma survivor Sean Davis. The 11-year-old used a wheelchair to participate in last year’s event to raise research funds and disease awareness. This year, Sean is cancer-free, can walk again and will be speaking about his personal experience. He and his mother are available for interviews.

 

WHY:              Montefiore’s aim is to educate people about sarcoma, an often poorly understood disease. The walk also aims to inspire those impacted by the condition and raise funds to support medical research, find new treatments and improve prognosis.

 

WHO:              Montefiore patients like 11-year-old Sean Davis and their families. CHAM doctors, nurses and staff, members of the community.

 

WHEN:            Saturday, July 19, 2014

10:30 AM – Walk

11:45 AM – Speeches, Arts & Crafts, Other Entertainment

 

WHERE:          Van Cordtlandt Park

240th Street Entrance at Broadway

Bronx, N.Y.

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