Factor 2024

June 22-24- FACTOR 2023
REGISTER HERE

FACTOR 2024 INFORMATION

About FACTOR

Conference objectives

FACTOR brings together the leading osteosarcoma researchers, clinicians, patient families, osteosarcoma survivors, patients, and bereaved parents to make it better for those battling this disease. This work belongs to all of us.

Collaboration at FACTOR happens with all interested parties to advance treatments and improve outcomes for patients with osteosarcoma. Specifically:

• Significantly improve osteosarcoma awareness and patient outcomes through collaborative disease management approach, clinical trials and dedicated osteosarcoma research.

• Brainstorm on challenges and develop collaborative solutions to fast-track improvements for osteosarcoma.

• Create a symbiotic bridge between the osteosarcoma medical and patient community to overcome challenges and create solutions.

• Evaluate funding needs for research and provide awareness for worthy initiatives and funding solutions.

• A dedicated forum to annually review progress on various osteosarcoma disease management initiatives.

FACTOR 2024 agenda


On-Site Conference Check-In
Conference check-in begins on Thursday, June 20th at 2:00 PM in the Grand Assembly area at the Hotel Cleveland on the 3rd floor. At check-in, you can pick up your badge and program, shop our FACTOR 2024 Boutique, and visit our partner tables. If you arrive outside this timeframe, you can check in during active conference hours outside the Forest City Ballroom.

Thursday Welcome Reception
Please join us in the Ambassador Ballroom on Thursday from 5:00 pm-6:00 pm for a Welcome Reception to say hello, mingle, and enjoy light appetizers and beverages. Not to be missed is the Doc vs. Warriors challenge which is always a conference highlight!

See below for the Session Agenda and our Wellness Track.

REGISTER

OsteoWarriors Headquarters (HQ)

The OsteoWarriors HQ (headquarters) brings kids and young adults who have a connection to osteosarcoma together and It. Is. Awesome!

Connecting the kids who have lost limbs, friends and siblings to osteosarcoma is one of the most important things we do. To put the hospital behind them for a few days and connect with other kids from across the country who have been through the same thing they have is really special.

HQ is for those 22 and under. We kindly ask that only those who plan to fully participate in HQ select the HQ registration option. OsteoWarrior HQ is for:

• Warriors in treatment for osteosarcoma

• Survivors of osteosarcoma

• Siblings of OsteoWarriors

• Siblings of OsteoAngels



The OsteoWarriors HQ is entirely complimentary, with thanks to the generosity of the Jeffries Family, the Matthew Lehrman Family and The Zimmerman Foundation.

Luminarias

Order a Luminaria in honor of an OsteoWarrior or OsteoAngel! They will light the path the General session attendees will take to dinner on Friday night.

To place your order, please follow these simple steps:

1) Purchase a Luminaria on our MIB Boutique. 
2) Once you complete your purchase, please fill out our F24 Luminaria form to provide your OsteoWarrior or OsteoAngel's name and photo.

Email Linda@MIBAgents.org with any questions.

Please note the deadline to place your Luminaria order is Monday, June 10.

Bereavement Session- Healing Hearts

Join us for a free Healing Hearts grief retreat for bereaved osteosarcoma parents.
This is an opportunity for you to connect with others who share a similar grief experience and understand what you're going through. The hope is that this event provides encouragement, support, and inspiration through planned activities and conversation. 

Date: Sunday, June 23
Time: 9 AM - 12 PM


SESSION LEAD BY: LORI KRAUSE

Lori Krause is a life coach with a focus on grief as well as end of life. She is a hospice-trained grief facilitator for both adults and children and is an INELDA-trained End of Life Doula; with a deep passion for relationship building; open and honest communication; healing; loving; and caregiving.

Ambassador Agent Training

Ambassador Agents offer peer support to caregivers and families in treatment for osteosarcoma. Ambassador Agents are:

  • Survivors and caregivers in the osteosarcoma community
  • Out of treatment for at least one year
  • Comfortable with your own journey to support someone in the midst of theirs
  • Want to Make It Better by showing up to offer support

The Ambassador Agent training will prepare you in best practices to support a warrior and/or their family members. Listening skills, ways to build trust, stages of grief and recovery, stress management and the ever popular 'elevator speech' are the foundation of the training. Being an Ambassador Agent is a rewarding experience for both you and the family you are matched with.

Date: Thursday, June 20
Time: 9 AM - 4 PM

Stay tuned for more information on future Mingles!

FACTOR Team

Bronwen Greene

Linda Chelsky

Mary Bisaga

Nicole Klok

FAQs

How much is parking at the event & hotel:

Hotel Cleveland offers valet parking at $39 for overnight valet parking. Self-parking lot is available through the Tower City Center at the following rates: $34 overnight.

Who can participate in HQ? 

Warriors in treatment for osteosarcoma, survivors of osteosarcoma, siblings of OsteoWarriors, siblings of OsteoAngels who are 22 years old and younger.

Is there a cost for HQ? 

HQ is free thanks to the generous support from the Jeffries family and The Zimmerman Foundation. FACTOR registration fees are waived for those attending HQ.

Do I need to book my hotel room separately from FACTOR registration? 

YES! Special rates are available at Hotel Cleveland. Click here to reserve your room.

view our Angel wall

FACTOR 2022 Speakers

John Healey, MD, FACS
Chief, Orthopaedic Service; Stephen McDermott Chair in Surgery
Kenneth Wong, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology
Lisl Schweers, LCSW, OSW-C
Alanna J. Church, MD
Christina Baker, Psy.D.
Noah C. Federman, MD
Jane Yanagawa, MD
Alan T. Blank, M.D., M.S.
Bhuvana A. Setty, MD
Katie Albert, MD
Rosandra N. Kaplan, M.D.
Nicola J. Mason, BVetMed, PhD
Lara E. Davis, M.D.
Viswatej (Vishu) Avutu, MD
Michael Isakoff, MD
Scott Sauer, PhD
Katherine A. Janeway, MD, MMSc
Emily Pope PhD Candidate
Leo Mascarenhas, MD, MS
Lee J. Helman, MD
Pradeep Shrestha, Ph.D.
Emily Simon Rav, M.D.
Betsy Young, MD
Ariana Anjier, M.S.
John A Ligon, MD
Alex Y.C. Huang, MD, PhD
Olena Morozova Vaske, PhD
Dr. Patrick Reynolds, M.D. Ph. D.
Elizabeth A. Stewart, MD
Corrie Painter, Ph.D.
Richard Gorlick, MD
Michelle Sexton, ND
Brian D. Crompton, MD
Masanori Hayashi, MD
Brian Flesner, DVM, MSc
Jessica Davis, M.D.
Brian Van Tine, MD, PhD
Ryan D. Roberts, MD, PhD
Amanda Marinoff, MD
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellow
Alejandro Sweet-Cordero, MD
Professor of Pediatrics, UCSF; Director, Molecular Oncology Initiative & Co-Leader, Pediatric Malignancies Program, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Troy A. McEachron, Ph.D.
INVESTIGATOR Pediatric Oncology Branch
Kara Skrubis
MIB Junior Advisory Board President
Matteo Trucco, MD
Director of Children's Cancer Innovative Therapy Program Associate Staff, Peds Hematology-Oncology & BMT, Cleveland Clinic

Family Fund FACTOR Travel Award

MIB Agents is pleased to offer a limited number of travel awards up to $2,000 for physicians and researchers who would like to attend FACTOR 2022 but do not have institutional or grant support to cover FACTOR 2022 registration and travel expenses. Applications can be submitted online at Proposal Central until April 8th, 2022 and recipients will be notified by April 22nd, 2022.

MIB Agents Family Fund FACTOR Travel Awards are supported by MIB Agents Family Funds, osteosarcoma patients and families who raise funds in honor of an OsteoWarrior or OsteoAngel. Their dedication to Making It Better and fostering collaboration and education in the scientific community makes every MIB Agents award incredibly meaningful.

For more details on eligibility and the application process, please see the Family Fund FACTOR Travel Award guidelines. Please email christina@mibagents.org with any questions.

Scientific Advisory Board

Alanna Church, MD

Associate Director, Laboratory for Molecular Pediatric Pathology (LaMPP); Staff Pathologist,  Boston Children's Hospital; Assistant Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School

Alex Huang, MD, PhD

Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Case Western University School of Medicine; Professor, Department of Pathology, Case Western University School of Medicine; Co-Leader, Immune Oncology Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center; Associate Director, Medical Scientist Training Program, Case Western University School of Medicine

Andy Livingston, MD, MS

Associate Professor, Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics Patient Care, Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Co-director of the MD Anderson Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) oncology program.

Christina Ip-Toma

Director Scientific Programs. FACTOR: Speakers & Travel Award

Damon Reed, MD

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Division Head, Pediatric Solid Tumors, Chief, Pediatric Sarcoma Service

John H. Healey, MD, FACS

Board Member, MIB Agents. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Chief, Orthopaedic Service; Stephen McDermott Chair in Surgery

Katie Janeway, MD

Board Member, MIB Agents. Dana Farber Cancer Center, Director of Clinical Genomics, Senior Physician, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School

Matteo Trucco, MD

Board Member, MIB Agents. Associate Staff Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital. FACTOR: Science Co- Chair.

Nicola Mason, BVetMed, PhD

Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Professor of Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine The Paul A. James and Charles A. Gilmore Endowed Chair Professorship within the Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine

Nicolas Garnier, PhD

MIB Agents Scientific Editorial Advisor, Chief Patient Officer, Servier

Pete Anderson, MD, PhD

Board Member, MIB Agents. Cleveland Clinic Pediatric Hematology Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation

Ramy Ibrahim, MD

Chief Medical and Strategy Officer, Georgiamune Inc. Board of Directors, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy

Rosandra Kaplan, MD

Section Senior Investigator Physician Scientist Pediatric Oncologist NIH.

Register for FACTOR

FACTOR Pricing:  $335

The magic of being in the same room
Meet the best minds in osteosarcoma
Get to know the patients and families of the community
Share a meal and drink together
HAVE AN AWESOME TIME!

Hotel Reservations

HOTEL CLEVELAND
24 Public Square
Cleveland, OH 44113

FACTOR 2024 Hotel

We have sold out of rooms at Hotel Cleveland.

MIB Agents has secured a small room block at the Westin Cleveland Downtown. Please note room block closes on Friday, June 14th. To reserve your room, click here.

Please email Sarah@MIBagents.org with any questions.

stay tuned for additional info

Lobby Bar

Network, socialize, and unwind at our lobby bar. Our Cleveland eatery serves fresh bites and craft cocktails in the historic lobby. Just steps away from Public Square, the lobby bar is a great place to refresh before heading out for a night on the town.

Fitness Center



Fitness center

Running trail On Marginal Road

Health and Safety

We strongly encourage all FACTOR attendees to be vaccinated. Proof of vaccination will not be required to attend.
The use of masks is encouraged if you are immunocompromised, otherwise, to be used at your discretion.

MIB Agents is proud to partner with these organizations in our mission to Make It Better. Your company can Make It Better, too, please contact Ann Graham at ann@mibagents.org for partnership opportunities

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Star Sponsor

Star Sponsor

Star Sponsor

Star Sponsor

Supporting Sponsor

HONOR SPONSOR

Supporting Sponsor

Supporting Sponsor

JUNIOR ADVISORY BOARD SPONSOR

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Star Sponsor

JUNIOR ADVISORY BOARD SPONSOR

Supporting Sponsor

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT FACTOR 2025! Stay tuned for announcement!

Why Attend

Cause Connection

FACTOR connects families & osteosarcoma professionals.

Cause Collaboration

Bringing researchers, clinicians, surgeons and caregivers together.

Cause A Cure

Create a bridge between the osteosarcoma medical and patient community to overcome challenges and create solutions.

“The FACTOR Conference is unique in that it brings together parents, patient advocates, providers, the scientific community and others to share common issues and research advances,and to remember our common struggles against osteosarcoma.”

-Richard Gorlick, MD
register here

FACTOR By the Numbers

7th Annual Conference
67 Doctors & Researchers (2023)
60 Patients and Families (2023)
7 Scientific Panels
1 Patient Panel (2023)
1 Bereaved Parents Session
2 Days of Fun &  Activities for OsteoWarriors & Siblings

Venue

HOTEL CLEVELAND   
24 Public Square Cleveland, OH 44113

We are sold out of rooms at Hotel Cleveland. MIB Agents has secured a small room block at the Westin Cleveland Downtown. Please note room block closes on Friday, June 14th.
To reserve at the Westin, click here.

Discover Cleveland

Discover a bustling city with glittering skylines, but also surrounded by expansive green space. Nestled on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland offers a unique blend of history, culture, and innovation. Immerse yourself in the rich art scene, from the world-renowned Cleveland Museum of Art to the cutting-edge galleries in the buzzing Ohio City neighborhood. Indulge your taste buds with a culinary adventure, from upscale dining to local food markets serving up mouthwatering delights.

Explore the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a shrine to music legends, and catch a live performance at Playhouse Square, the largest theater district outside of New York City. For sports enthusiasts, cheer on the Cleveland Cavaliers or catch a Cleveland Guardians game at Progressive Field. From the iconic skyline to the friendly locals, Cleveland has something for everyone. Come discover the hidden gem of the Midwest and create unforgettable memories in Cleveland, Ohio's charming neighborhoods.

Discover hidden gems throughout the city, including diverse dining, unique attractions, historic arts, and entertainment.