Gastric Cancer Foundation Event Promotes Research Funding to Improve Treatments and Save Lives - "A Cause for Hope" on November 18 in the San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco, CA, October 17, 2016 --(PR.com)-- Stomach Cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the world(1), and is increasingly affecting young people. Yet only a tiny fraction of the nearly 1 million people worldwide who are suffering from gastric cancer have well-defined tumor mutations that can be addressed with current treatment options.

Despite these trends, gastric cancer receives less than half of one percent (.04%) of all federal cancer funding(2) .To increase funding for the disease and encourage more researchers to focus on stomach cancer treatment, the Gastric Cancer Foundation will hold its Annual Dinner and Auction Event A Cause for Hope on November 18. Key sponsors include Lilly Oncology and Capital Group Companies.

“There has never been a time quite like today for gastric cancer research,” says Lincoln Nadauld, MD, PhD, Director of Cancer Genomics at Intermountain Healthcare and Gastric Cancer Foundation Board member. “Developments in precision medicine and targeted treatments for gastric cancer are advancing quickly. Our continuing support for gastric cancer research can truly make a difference in saving lives.”

Since 2011, the Gastric Cancer Foundation has collaborated with Stanford Cancer Institute to create the first HIPAA compliant database that is actively collecting both patient data and blood and tissue samples. This Gastric Cancer Registry provides scientists the genomic tools they need to develop better therapies for this underserved population of cancer patients.

In February, the Gastric Cancer Foundation will announce its second Research Scholar in partnership with the American Gastroenterological Association. This three-year award funds scientists to support innovative research in gastric cancer.

“There is no time to waste when it comes to gastric cancer,” says Wayne Feinstein, Foundation Chair who lost his 20-year son to the disease. “Join your caring and determined community on November 18, and help us create a future without cancer research.”

(1) "Cancer mortality for commoncancers,"Cancer Research UK (2013); Globalcan.iarc.fr (2015)
(2) FY 2015 Research Funding by Cancer Type" National Concer Institutes

To register for the event or contribute online visit bit.ly/ACauseforHope.

What: “A Cause for Hope” - 7th Annual Event to Support Gastric Cancer Research
Celebration of progress and commitment in search of a cure for gastric cancer
Silent and Live auctions along with Dinner cap this inviting fall evening.
Where: Green Hills Country Club
When: Friday, November 18, 2016, 6:30 pm

For Info: www.gastriccancer.org/events or 415-572-6646.
Follow: Facebook.com/GastricCancerFoundation

About the Gastric Cancer Foundation
In 2009, JP Gallagher, a San Francisco Bay Area professional, founded the Gastric Cancer Foundation after being diagnosed with stomach cancer at age 37. Since then, the Foundation has contributed $2 million to support stomach cancer research. Through education, research and advocacy, the Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by stomach cancer and to working with leading researchers to find a cure.