A Fun Run to Address a Serious, Rare Form of Cancer
On Saturday, June 8, 2024, the orthopaedic oncology division at Montefiore Einstein will host its seventh annual Knock Out Sarcoma 5K Fun Run. The home-grown charity run was established by David Geller, M.D., Bang Hoang, M.D., and Rui Yang M.D., all members of the division and faculty in orthopaedic surgery, with the aim of raising awareness of and support for the Musculoskeletal Oncology Laboratory at Montefiore and its efforts to pursue innovative research for sarcomas.
Join the Knock Out Sacoma 5 K Fun Run on June 8, in Van Cortlandt Park.
Each June, the Knock Out Sarcoma Fun Run is held in Van Cortlandt Park to help raise funds to support Montefiore’s Musculoskeletal Oncology Laboratory.
Sarcomas are rare forms of cancer that affect bones and connective tissue, such as nerves, muscles, cartilage, tendons, fat, and blood vessels. They can affect children and adults, and the division, together with other colleagues and providers, is dedicated to caring for patients with these diagnoses. The program is one of just a handful nationally that includes both an orthopaedic oncology fellowship and translational research laboratory focused on these forms of cancer.
In years past, approximately 100 to 120 runners and walkers have participated in the event. This year, in-person participants will gather in Van Cortlandt Park at 8:30 a.m. for a quick welcome and group photo before setting out at 9:00 a.m. on their run or walk. (Virtual participation is also possible.) The event, which has attracted caregivers, colleagues, hospital staff, patients and their families, students, residents, and fellows, usually ends by noon.
“All are welcome,” said Dr. Geller. “Over the years, the fun run has become an important means for raising both awareness and research funding for these rare cancers.”
He added, “It’s been rewarding to have colleagues, friends, and community members rally behind our work towards a cure for sarcoma, which often has limited therapeutic options. At Montefiore Einstein, we are committed to better understanding how these diseases develop and, more importantly, finding better treatments for our patients and beyond.”
Through funds raised at the annual event, which augments NIH and other support the Musculoskeletal Oncology Laboratory receives, Dr. Geller and his colleagues hope to identify new, more effective treatment options for cancers such as osteosarcoma and synovial sarcoma.
Alexander Ferrena conducted research in the lab and successfully defended his Einstein Ph.D. thesis recently. “Our research seeks to develop next generation systemic treatment approaches based on targeted therapy and immunotherapy, with the aim of increasing treatment efficacy and reducing its side effects,” he said. “While we’ve made lots of progress, more research is needed that we hope will benefit patients in the near future.”
He added: “A lot more attention has been focused on rare cancers like osteosarcoma in recent years, which has made more resources available for research like ours that targets the cancer-supporting gene SKP2 involved in osteosarcoma. Thanks to the greater support and awareness, we hope to keep improving what we can do for patients.”
For more information on the event, visit the www.knockoutsarcoma-monte.com.
Posted on: Tuesday, June 04, 2024