MIDWEST GISTers TARGET ST. LOUIS

Thanks to a lot of hard work by Katie Campbell and Ally Klein (both GIST survivors), 48 GIST patients and family / friends gathered in St. Louis April 26, 2008.  Katie remarked "We had people come from Indiana, Wisconsin, Kansas, Illinois and of course Missouri."

This St. Louis meeting was assisted by the Barnes/Siteman Cancer Center which provided not only speakers, but also food for the day-long get-together.  Featured speakers included:

• Dr. Joel Picus, oncologist, who addressed medical updates and clinical research into GIST
• Dr. Teresa Deschields, psychologist, discussed different ways to help cope with
  your feelings and the emotions related to GIST
• Dr. William Hawkins, surgeon, discussed surgical management of GIST 
• Laura Herr, an oncology nutritionist from Illinois, discussed ways to deals with side effects using food and offered some nutrition tips.

Following the speakers separate break-out sessions for caregivers and for patients were held  to allow for plenty of discussion. 

The organizers were delighted with the response and plan to do it again next year!  More information about the 2008 St. Louis event and future meetings can be obtained at the Blog Link http://giststlouis.blogspot.com/ 

Pictured below are all the attendees.  For more photos of the event, please go to our photo gallery.