President’s Year-End Message 2004

As a seventeen year survivor of Granulosa Cell Tumor of the Ovary (GCT – stromal ovarian cancer), I know first hand what it is like going through the shock of a GCT diagnosis, chemotheraphy, surgeries, reoccurrences, and follow up scans. 

The lack of research information, treatment protocols, awareness, and funding has been a huge source of frustration for women and their families with GCT.  For these reasons, the GCT Foundation was created in May of 2003 with three objectives:  to raise funds specifically for the research of GCT, to provide hope and support to survivors, and to raise awareness about GCT to our local and GCT communities.  After thorough due diligence, we have successfully partnered ourselves with the prestigious Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research (PHIMR), who has pledged to study the GCT tumor cell lines with our support.

Progress for the year of 2003:
After our First Annual GCT Casino Night Event, we raised over $13,500, and sent $10,000 directly into the hands of the Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research to study the molecular pathology of GCT.

Progress in 2004:
We had two very successful Casino Night Fundraisers in 2004, nearly trippling what we raised last year.  As a result, we were able to send $18,000 to PHIMR for GCT research on December 17th, 2004.

Returns on investment (ROI):

• PHIMR - recently published an article in Molecular Endocrinology describing the activation of two signaling pathways promoting cell growth and survival.  There is preliminary evidence that this is also true of tumors.  The cause of this activation is a target for further study of potential therapeutic agents.
• PHIMR – recently published an article in the journal of Gynecologic Oncology about a study of two oncogenes that are one reason for activation of signaling pathways (mentioned above), in genes ras and raf which are in GCT and not present in epithelial ovarian tumors.
• PHIMR – hormone therapy and estrogen  - in progress of being studied.
• PHIMR – cell cycle genes – in progress of being studied from many different angles.

This year we have been successful in placing faces and lives behind the tissue being researched, and provided survivor support to many women.  In pursuing courses of action on other fronts, we have temporarily increased overhead costs to launch a successful media and branding campaign to raise awareness.  As a result we have been successful in obtaining corporate sponsorships and media coverage to local events, and opened a Simi Valley GCT Chapter. 

As we approach 2005, our goal will be to raise the most funds we can for GCT research with the least amount of overhead possible.   To do so, we will need your help in whatever manner you can contribute (please email us).  It is only through pulling together, that we can make a difference.  The Foundation is in need of volunteers around the world along with monthly supporters.

I wish to express the most sincere thanks from the bottom of my heart for all the supporters, volunteers, and to the researchers at PHIMR that have made it possible for GCTF to accomplish much with very little.

Blessings to you and your family during this holiday season.

Kim Sager