Sarcoma Awareness Month Highlights a Rare and Lethal Cancer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
William Alexander
[email protected]
919-414-9919
Sarcoma Awareness Month Highlights a Rare and Lethal Cancer
DAMASCUS, MD, July 1, 2024 –July is Sarcoma Awareness Month, a valuable opportunity to spread the word about sarcoma and support people affected by this rare and lethal cancer. Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) invites everyone to learn more about sarcoma and join its efforts to raise awareness this July.
Sarcoma is a form of cancer that grows in bones or the connective soft tissue such as muscles, blood vessels, or nerves. Scientists have identified more than 100 distinct subtypes of sarcoma. Many of these are aggressive, difficult to diagnose, and lack effective treatment options. Sarcoma accounts for 1 percent of adult cancers and 15 to 20 percent of childhood cancers. Survival rates are low. Learn more about sarcoma here.
“Sarcoma brings unique challenges in addition to the usual burdens associated with a cancer diagnosis,” said Brandi Felser, CEO of Sarcoma Foundation of America. “There is no FDA approved therapy for most subtypes of sarcoma. Many medical professionals are not familiar with sarcoma and how to treat it. Furthermore, it can take a long time to be appropriately diagnosed.”
Raising awareness about sarcoma is also crucial within the fields of health care and research. Providers and health-care facilities often lack the knowledge to recognize or properly treat sarcoma, leading to delayed diagnosis and poorer outcomes. Funding for sarcoma research has also fallen behind many other cancers, both because of sarcoma’s relative rarity and because it is not in the public eye.
Every July, SFA brings together the collective voice to raise sarcoma awareness and address issues faced by the sarcoma community. This year’s campaign has the theme of “Raising Awareness to Increase Survivors.” On Wear Yellow Day, July 12, members of the sarcoma community and those wishing to show support will wear the signature color of sarcoma awareness and share photos on social media.
SFA staff and sarcoma advocates will discuss challenges people with sarcoma face with members of Congress on our Sarcoma Hill Day. On July 20, our National Race to Cure Sarcoma will be held in Washington, DC, with options for virtual participation. On July 26, locations such as Niagara Falls, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Milwaukee City Hall will light their exteriors yellow to show support. Read more about these events and how to take part here.
About the Sarcoma Foundation of America
Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, is an advocate for increased research to find new and better therapies with which to treat patients with sarcoma. The organization raises money to privately fund grants for sarcoma researchers and conducts education and advocacy efforts on behalf of sarcoma patients. For more information, please visit www.curesarcoma.org.