The following is our announcement of the GIST Cancer Research Fund's Fourth Annual Walk for a Cure. For those of us that have participated in the past, it is hard to convey the wonder feelings of joy and empowerment that come with this event. I hope all of us can put aside the time and look into our hearts and join together in this most wonderful endeavor. .

We are especially heartened by the committment of several members of the GIST professional communtiy to attend.

I look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones there soon.

Regards,
Mark


NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saturday, August 28, 2004, New City, NY --- On Sunday, October 10, 2004 at 10:30 AM at the Rockland Lake State Park in Congers, NY the GIST Cancer Research Fund (GCRF) will hold their cornerstone fund raising event, THE FOURTH ANNUAL WALK FOR A GIST CANCER CURE.

Everyone will gather that morning at Parking Lot #1 - North Side of the Rockland Lake State Park in Congers, NY between 9:30 & 10:15 AM that day, rain or shine. The three mile Walk on around the picturesque lake will start at 10:30 AM. Should anyone care to, there are benches along the way to sit & rest.

The Registration Form can be downloaded and printed from this page of Tania Stutman's Web Site for the GIST Cancer Research Fund (GCRF). http://www.gistinfo.org/walk.html

Anyone who can not make it to The Walk can still support this fund raising effort as a Virtual Walker by downloading & printing a Registration Form, soliciting donations & mailing them in. Donations can also be made online, by anyone around the world, by using the DONATE link that's on the Web Site http://www.gistinfo.org .

Lunch will be served at the park directly after The Walk, so that those that want to will have the opportunity to spend some time getting acquainted, socializing, networking, comparing experiences with the many other GIST patients, their families, care givers and friends that will be there.

Responses are already coming in from the four major GIST treatment & research centers, as well as from Novartis & Pfizer. All indications point to many of the GIST professionals being present to support this effort.

Last year about 250 people participated in The Walk around the lake. This year over 400 people are expected, not only from the nearby NY metro area & the surrounding tri-state area .. but also folks from all over the country have been signifying their intentions to attend.

It would be appreciated if those planning to attend drop a note to Tania at tania5kids@aol.com including how many people will be coming in your group.

This years Walk will be held in the memory of Dean Gordanier who was a GIST patient, an outstanding tax attorney, a member of the choir of the First Church in Cambridge (Harvard). He was true pioneer & valiant GIST warrior who battled this disease heroically as he forged new ground and blazed new trails for all GIST patients as he took part in both the Gleevec & Sugen (SU-11248) Clinical Trials. Dean also gained the admiration and respect of all as he gave generously of his valuable time and warmly shared his experience, knowledge, wit and wisdom with GIST patients from all over the world both privately and as he participated in GIST Cancer Support Groups. Dean extended his hand, as he communicated with fellow GIST patients quite openly about himself and both his personal and medical experiences. Dean's outlook was always positive & uplifting.

Last year Dean went out of his way and flew from his home in Massachusetts to the shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland to meet the then 81 year old fellow GIST patient, Dr. Mel Heller, for the very first time. Dean then drove him to the Walk in Congers, NY. Now fast friends, they both warmly & energetically socialized with the many other GIST patients present both at the Walk and the gathering at the Stutman's home directly after. Dean then drove his new friend back to Maryland and boarded a plane to return to his home in Massachusetts, all in the same day. This wonderful, giving and caring man, Dean Gordanier lost his battle with GIST cancer and passed from this world in February of this year. His memory will live on forever.

We are also have committments from many doctors and other staff in the GIST professional and scientific community to attend, and look forward to assembling with them under such beautiful. relaxing surroundings.

The GIST Cancer Research Fund (GCRF), was started five years ago by Tania and Robert Stutman and has raised over $130,000.00 (USD) to date and provided GIST cancer research grants to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute (Harvard University) in Boston, MA, the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NY City, NY and the Oregon Health Sciences University Cancer Institute in Portland, OR. Ninety seven percent (97%) of all the funds raised have & will continue to go directly for research on GIST cancer. The GIST Cancer Research Fund is under the medical advisement of Dr. Ephraim Casper of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Please join us in this most wonderful endeavor.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Tania & Robert Stutman
GIST Cancer Research Fund
55 Saw Mill Road
New City, NY 10956

1-845-634-6060
1-845-634-1174 - Phones
Tania5kids@aol.com - eMail

WEB SITE
http://www.GISTInfo.org
http://www.GISTInfo.com
http://www.GISTresearchfund.com