On January 19-21, 2011, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) held its sixth Pediatric and Wildtype GIST Clinic. This clinic focuses on a particular subset of GIST survivors that respond differently to current successful drug therapies for GIST. The Clinic serves to research Pediatric and Wild-type GIST as well as provide consultation for these patients from GIST experts who dedicate their time to travel to Bethesda, Md. from all over the country.

“I learned a lot and feel so much better having the NIH team as an additional resource, “said LRG member, Anne Pacifico.

Everyone with Pediatric or Wildtype GIST is encouraged to participate in future clinics. Patients are provided travel and lodging support to attend the clinic within the United States and partial support is provided for international participants. The next clinic is scheduled for June 2011.

You may visit the website at www.pediatricgist.cancer.gov. Dr. Su Young Kim, Pediatric GIST Clinic Coordinator, and his team can be reached at ncipediatricgist@nih.mail.gov.