Join Us for Education Day 2026
Drug Development and Advocacy: How Advocates Can Drive Change
July 17 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET
Understanding how new treatments are developed and how patient advocates can help shape that process is an important part of advancing care for people affected by sarcoma.
Join Sarcoma Foundation of America for Education Day, a part of Sarcoma Community Advocacy Weekend in Washington, D.C., featuring educational sessions focused on Drug Development and Advocacy.
Education Day will take place at the Hall of States Building located at 444 North Capital Street NW in Washington D.C.
Education Day Agenda
Brandi Felser
Understanding how new therapies move from research through clinical trials to patients
Speaker: Dr. Geraldine O’Sullivan Coyne, START
How advocates can influence clinical trial design, regulatory discussions, and research priorities
Panel: Jennifer Stundon, FDA; Kristen Wessel, FDA; Elena Schwartz, NCI; Sagar Ghosh, CDMRP
How companies evaluate and advance rare cancer therapies
Speaker: Sam Blackman, Google Ventures
Understanding the science, crossing the Valley of Death, and starting a clinical trial for rare cancers
Speaker: Jeff Toretsky, Georgetown University
How patient advocacy can drive change
Panel: Terri Stewart, EMD Serono; Abe Friedman, U.S. House Committee on Rules; Nancy Gardner & Jonathan Gardner, Sarcoma Patient Advocates
Facilitators: SFA staff, invited speakers, and experienced patient advocates
Goal: Small group discussions on how advocates can advance research, trials and policy
Can’t make it to Washington, D.C.?
You can still participate by joining us live online.
[ Register to Join Virtually ]
Throughout the day, you’ll hear from experts on topics including:
- The drug development process—from discovery through FDA approval
- How clinical research and clinical trials are designed, conducted, and evaluated
- Opportunities for advocates to engage with organizations such as the FDA, NCI, and CDMRP
- The unique challenges of developing treatments for rare cancers like sarcoma
- How biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies evaluate and invest in therapies for rare diseases
- How patient advocates can help advance research, drug development, and public policy
- Interactive workgroup discussions exploring ways to strengthen sarcoma research, advocacy, and patient engagement
You’ll have opportunities to ask questions, engage in discussion, and gain a better understanding of how patients and advocates can contribute throughout the drug development process.
Whether you’re a patient, survivor, care partner, advocate, researcher, healthcare professional, or simply interested in learning more about how new therapies reach patients, we hope you’ll join us for this informative and engaging day.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If I register to attend virtually, how will I participate?
Education Day will be livestreamed via Zoom. Registered virtual attendees will receive a Zoom link before the event.
Can virtual attendees ask questions?
Yes. A moderator will monitor the Zoom Q & A throughout the day and share audience questions with speakers during designated discussion periods whenever possible.
Do I need to attend the entire day?
No. You’re welcome to join for the full program or attend only the sessions that interest you. You may leave and rejoin the Zoom meeting at any time.
[ Register to Join Virtually ]
For any questions, please contact programs@curesarcoma.org.
Sign up below to learn more or register for 2026 Advocacy Weekend:
