Karen Wyckoff Rein in Sarcoma Foundation
Rein in Sarcoma Masthead

Volume 4 Number  10
October 2011 
IN THIS ISSUE
Give to the Max
October Gathering
Interview: Logan Spector, PhD
United Way Giving
Julian's Life
Garage Sale Success
Inspiration and Book
QUICK LINKS
Join Our Mailing List

Race For Grace Named Fund-2010 RISHere is Our Mission 

We are community.  We provide education.  We fund research, in the hopes of one day living into a cure.  And we are excited to announce:

 

A new RIS "Red Flags" Task Force is recruiting members to develop a major educational campaign. Led by Board member Theresa Baultrippe with assistance from Sue Wyckoff, the group will develop and implement a significant campaign to educate the medical community and patients about the "red flags" that are warning signs and symptoms of sarcoma cancers.  With earlier diagnosis and better treatment, we hope survival rates will improve. 

 

Several doctors and researchers from the University of Minnesota and Children's Hospital have agreed to participate. If you are interested in helping, or if you or a loved one faced a late or missed diagnosis, please contact Theresa by email by clicking here.

  

Give to the Max 2010- Square"Give Your Max" to RIS on November 16 

Rein in Sarcoma is one of many nonprofit organizations throughout the state that will once again ask Minnesotans to display their record-breaking generosity by donating to their favorite charities online at www.GiveMN.org during the third annual "Give to the Max Day" on Wednesday November 16.

"Last year's Give to the Max Day raised over $10,000 for Rein in Sarcoma in just one day," said RIS treasurer Tom Dougherty. "With the help of many of your supporters and a new challenge grant by the RIS Elinda Bates Wing Fund, we hope we can make "Give to the Max" one of the best one-day fundraising events ever for RIS. Give to the Max kicks off our year-end fundraising campaign that will determine the amount of funding we can grant for new sarcoma cancer research next February." Read more....   

It's Gathering Time again!  Next Sunday afternoon, October 30, please take the drive to Clifton E. French Regional Park in Plymouth.  Join us at 1:45 pm.  We will be serenaded by the acappella sounds of Men in Black, then will share stories with one another.  You will also learn about our Red Flags Campaign, and get an update on Foundation activities.

 

RIS Gatherings are a unique opportunity for patients, survivors, loved ones and those who may have lost someone to sarcoma to  support and gain strength and inspiration from one another. Whether you are newly diagnosed or a long term survivor or have been directly impacted by sarcoma in another way, please join us.    

 

Crisp apples of course will be involved.  It would help us to know that you plan to come.  So won't you please take a few moments to RSVP by registering here or by calling Sue Wyckoff at 651-486-9114.       

Logan Spector Logan Spector, PhD:  Hunting the Why

Logan Spector is not a medical doctor, but he does have the opportunity to talk with families as part of his research work.  In his experience, the first question asked by parents whose children have been diagnosed with cancer is:  What's going to happen to my child?  The second question is:  Why did this happen to my child?  Epidemiologists like Dr. Spector are "here to investigate the why." 

 

Back in 2004, a small seed grant from Rein in Sarcoma helped Dr. Spector support a successful application for funding from the National Institutes of Health.  NIH funding allows him to study the connection between osteosarcoma and certain genes.  The entire field of genetic epidemiology has been revolutionized, with the possibilities changing dramatically in just the last decade.  In other work, Dr. Spector uses new technology that could increase the chances of finding key connections between troublesome genes and aggressive cancers.  The University of Minnesota, where Dr. Spector is an Associate Professor, is "a great place to study pediatric cancer."  It's not quite the life led by Colonel Sam Daniels, but it suits him well.  Read the interview, here.                      

http://www.reininsarcoma.org/content/giving-ris-through-your-workplace-1

Give to RIS through Your Workplace

Each fall, countless Minnesotans sign up for payroll deductions to charity through the United Way, Community Shares, or other federated employee giving program.  There is a great power in aggregation.  Even $15 or $25 a month really adds up, over the 12 months in a year.  And that's just through one person.   

Imagine the collective power in all who have been touched by RIS.  This steady, foundational giving will help RIS to fulfill its mission.  Please consider "writing in" RIS.  Here's how to do it: Click here � �   

Throw Down 2011

For the third time, Theresa and Jasmine Baultrippe gathered their family and friends together to celebrate the life of Julian "Beanz" Baultrippe, without his physical presence.  Julian died far too young, but he taught us by fine example to embrace the life we have.  Triple chocolate cake, tender roast beef and broasted Asian wings are just a few of the menu items that made this event a success.  For an article and photos, please click here.    


The Baultrippe family has used this birthday feast as a way to raise money for RIS and to show appreciation for the people who continue to support their personal mission to find a cure for sarcoma cancers. You can honor their efforts by donating to the Julian Baultrippe fund, hereTo see a slideshow of Throw Down 3 for Beanz, click here.  

 

You also may wish to honor or celebrate your own loved ones.  Our Named Funds have really sustained RIS and allowed it to carry forward with its mission.  If you would like to learn more, you may read here.  

Garage Sale 2011
Garage Sale a Great Success 
Thanks to all of you who donated to and volunteered for the sixth annual RIS Garage Sale, held late September at Pete and Sue's home in Shoreview. This year's sale was our largest ever, with hundreds of wonderful items donated.  This resulted in over $2,700 raised for RIS during the two-day sale.  Yeah! 
 
Nuclear Sunflowers-1Inspiration 
I have interviewed quite a few University of Minnesota physicians and researchers by now.  I decided the format should reflect the quality of their work.  So I invite you to read through the whole collection, available now in an easily shared pdf format.  I sincerely thank my Assistant, Barb Nallick, for creating the book you will find here.  We will update it as new interviews are added, and it should be available through both the University and RIS websites.   

 

Often, I feel a sharp pang of envy as I close an interview.  If I had another lifetime, perhaps I would pursue biochemistry.  It is such a privilege to have the chance to care for people every day...  Next, I may sense real failure.  My own accomplishments, for the moment, can seem really small.  I often experience gratitude, too.  How wonderful is it, that these brilliant minds and kind hearts have chosen to work for us?  Always, I land in peace.  I believe God has shaped a special life for each of us.  Including you, and including me.

 

Speaking of the power that may be channeled through supremely surrendered souls, did you see that Leymah Gbowee won the Nobel Peace Prize!?!?  I love that.

 

Peace.  Christin. 

 

For past Inspiration entries, you may click here.        

The Karen Wyckoff Rein in Sarcoma Foundation is the primary sarcoma cancer foundation in the upper Midwest. Our goals are to fund research that may find a cure for sarcoma cancers, to provide education for medical personnel and the public, and to support patients and their loved ones.  We are an all-volunteer non-profit organization, which allows over 97% of our revenues to directly support our mission!

Sincerely,

Peter Wyckoff, President
Karen Wyckoff Rein in Sarcoma Foundation