Announcing Our 2026 Stand Up to Sarcoma Award Honorees
The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) will recognize six individuals and organizations whose work is advancing research, advocacy, patient care, awareness, and treatment for people affected by sarcoma at the 2026 Stand Up to Sarcoma Gala.
The awards will be presented during SFA’s signature annual event on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 583 Park Avenue in New York City. SFA’s awards are the highest honors bestowed by the organization and recognize those making a meaningful difference for patients, survivors, families, and the broader sarcoma community.
Jerry Glisch will receive the Courage Award. A sarcoma survivor, advocate, and member of the Race to Cure Sarcoma Milwaukee committee since 2017, Glisch has used his experience to raise awareness of sarcoma and generate support for research. His work has included securing media coverage and helping build support for the Milwaukee Race to Cure Sarcoma.
Jonathan Gardner will receive the Amira Yunis Courage Award. Gardner, a Ewing sarcoma survivor and advocate, who happens to have autism, has become a voice for both the sarcoma and disability communities. After experiencing diagnostic overshadowing before his own cancer diagnosis, he has worked to ensure that patients with disabilities are heard and treated as whole people. His advocacy has taken him from Massachusetts to Capitol Hill and contributed to the recognition of July 24 as Sarcoma Awareness Day in Massachusetts.
Shreyaskumar R. Patel, MD, will receive the Nobility in Science Award. Dr. Patel is Medical Director of the Sarcoma Center at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and holds the Robert R. Herring Distinguished Professorship in Cancer Research. His decades of clinical research have focused on systemic therapies for sarcomas, including gastrointestinal stromal tumors and other bone and soft tissue tumors. He has authored or co-authored more than 300 articles and has been involved with SFA since its inception.
US WorldMeds will receive the Vision of Hope Award. The pharmaceutical company is being recognized for its work to advance treatment options for people with sarcoma and for incorporating patient and advocacy perspectives into its development efforts. In 2026, TECELRA® (afamitresgene autoleucel) received full FDA approval for eligible patients with unresectable or metastatic synovial sarcoma, with the indication expanded to include patients age 12 and older.
Colleen Forbes, RN, BSN, ONC, will receive the Compassionate Care Award. Forbes is an Orthopedic Certified Registered Nurse at Duke University Hospital who has served as a Nurse Navigator with the Orthopedic Oncology Team since 2020. Through care coordination, education, and individualized support, she helps patients and families navigate the complexities of a sarcoma diagnosis and treatment while also working to strengthen access to care and multidisciplinary communication.
Brendan Locke will receive the Public Policy Impact Award. Locke became part of the sarcoma community after his late wife, Melissa, was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in 2016. Since then, he has turned his experience as a caregiver into advocacy, working with SFA and policymakers to increase awareness of sarcoma and advance recognition of July as Sarcoma Awareness Month.
Stand Up to Sarcoma brings together the SFA community to recognize progress and support the organization’s mission. Net proceeds from the 2026 gala will support SFA’s 2027 sarcoma research and patient education programs.
Learn more about the 2026 Stand Up to Sarcoma Gala and this year’s honorees at standuptosarcoma.curesarcoma.org.