Volume 17 | January 10, 2024
Happy New Year! As we enter 2024, we are more excited and energized than ever to Make It Better this coming year. We are kicking off the year with so many ways to engage with our community and Make It Better with us!
- Engage in an educational forum and attend TURBO on 1/10 ((physicians and researchers)
- Submit an abstract by 1/12 for our FACTOR 2024 conference June 20-22 in Cleveland
- Apply for a FACTOR 2024 Travel Award (physicians and researchers)
- Apply to join our Junior Advisory Board by 1/23
- Apply for an OutSmarting Osteosarcoma Research grant by 1/26 (for our US researchers)
- Find a supportive community for bereaved families in our Healing Hearts group sessions and new Wellness Workshops
- Attend an OsteoBites webinar to learn about the latest in osteosarcoma research
- Watch/listen to our osTEAo podcast to find a supportive AYA community
- Join OSMDNet, a closed Google Group for medical professionals
- Join us in Washington DC 2/13-14 for Childhood Cancer Action Days
Our MIB team is looking forward to connecting and collaborating with you and supporting our amazing community in any way we can.
With hope,
Ann
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If you have experienced osteosarcoma as a survivor, patient, OsteoAngel sibling, or other close connection and are 15-22 years old, please consider applying to join the 2024 MIB Agents Junior Advisory Board (JAB). JAB members serve as a voice for young adults in the osteosarcoma community to help influence the direction of MIB Agents programs, education, and research for the benefit of all OsteoWarriors, families, doctors, researchers, and industry. JAB Members serve a term of one year and meet monthly. Meetings are held via conference call as well as in person at the MIB FACTOR osteosarcoma conference, which will be in Cleveland this year from June 20-22nd. Applications are due January 23rd at 11:59pm ET.
Learn More and Apply for the MIB Junior Advisory Board
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MIB is Making It Better with Childhood Cancer Alliance Action Days on February 13-14 in Washington, D.C. We will work to empower change, build a supportive community, and raise awareness. The Alliance for Childhood Cancer unites national patient advocacy groups, medical experts, and organizations, working collaboratively to advance childhood cancer research and policies. Together, we can ensure a brighter future for children and adolescents facing cancer. Email linda@mibagents.org for more information.
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. Lori’s approach is to “hold hands'' and walk alongside her clients as they process life's deep emotions, loss, and challenges. She creates a compassionate and supportive space by providing education on what is to be expected in grief and mourning, helping clients discover coping tools and new perspectives, and creating hope for the future. MIB Agents is honored to have Lori leading our Healing Hearts group sessions and workshops.
If you have a job posting and you would like it included here, please email christina@mibagents.org.
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Watch Past Episodes and See the Upcoming Schedule
Join this patient engagement webinar hosted by the Sarcoma Foundation of America in partnership with the CDRC Sarcoma Task Force to learn about a groundbreaking project dedicated to advancing sarcoma treatment through innovative research exploring the potential of repurposing existing medications to benefit those affected by sarcoma. This initiative harnesses real-world data, encompassing electronic medical records and invaluable insights shared by patients and their healthcare providers. The objective is to shed light on cost-effective treatments by leveraging the power of proven-safe drugs, requiring further evidence to support their novel application in sarcoma therapy.
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A virtual tumor review board for osteosarcoma, TURBO is open to global clinicians or researchers with an interest in osteosarcoma. Patients and families are welcome to ask their oncologists to present a case on their behalf. Join TURBO to request an invite or submit a case.
Next meeting: January 10th at 5pm ET
MIB Agents is pleased to announce dates for the first Healing Hearts for Parents session of 2024. Meetings will begin on 1/10 followed by 1/17 and 1/24, and on the first three Wednesday evenings of February, March & April.
We are also delighted to share the start of a new program for both bereaved parents and siblings (Young Adult and Adult). Lori Krause will lead Healing Hearts Wellness Workshops once a month on Wednesdays from 7- 8PM ET on 1/31, 2/28, 3/27 and 4/24. Participants will learn techniques to better manage stress and moods and learn new practices to stay healthy, embrace new experiences and thrive while living with loss and grief.
Watch a 13 minute video on the OutSmarting application and review process
Lear More About Past Recipients
Apply for a Research Grant by Jan 26
MIB Agents is now accepting abstract submissions for oral presentations at FACTOR 2024. Abstracts can be submitted online at Proposal Central until January 12, 2024.
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 2024 but do not have institutional or grant support to cover FACTOR 2024 registration and travel expenses. Applications will open online at Proposal Central on January 15, 2024. Special consideration will be given to Young Investigators, attendees from outside the US, and FACTOR 2024 speakers who do not have institutional support to cover conference expenses.
Apply for a FACTOR Travel Award
If you have had a sarcoma diagnosis, you are invited to participate in the Cohort to Augment the Understanding of Sarcoma Across the Lifetime (CAUSAL) Study. The CAUSAL study aims to understand the impact of a sarcoma diagnosis and treatment over time. The study involves taking surveys, sending bio specimens, monitoring physical activity by wearing a Fitbit, and genetic testing. Open to global participants of all ages. If you have questions about the study before signing up, email the Vanderbilt University study team at CAUSALstudy@vumc.org or call (615) 936-0638.
If you have a trial that is currently enrolling osteosarcoma patients, please email christina@mibagents.org.
