July is sarcoma awareness month and July 15th is dedicated to leiomyosarcoma (LMS). This is some of my story and I am asking for your help to support LeiomyoSarcoma Support & Direct Research Foundation (LMSDR). I was unexpectedly diagnosed with LMS in October 2022 following a hysterectomy to remove a rapidly growing mass that was thought to be a uterine fibroid. Given the rarity of this diagnosis, it was a job to educate myself and make a decision about next steps with a short timeline. I sought out three opinions and each doctor had a different recommendation...you can imagine how overwhelming this was! I found the LMSDR website and benefited from their educational webinars and online discussions as a new patient. Later, I made a friend in Portland through the LMSDR online support group- the only other person I have ever met that shares the same LMS diagnosis. With two members, we say that we are the smallest and BEST support group! And we couldn't have found each other without the online help of LMSDR.

There is no cure for LMS and this rare disease needs more research and more effective treatment options. It is estimated to occur in 10 people in 1 million. To give perspective, sarcomas represent only 1% of all cancers, and LMS is one of 80 subtypes of sarcoma. And uterine LMS is one type of LMS. When surgery is possible, it is the most effective. Chemotherapy options involve an element of trial and error because there is not yet a way to sub-categorize LMS and make a match with the most effective drugs. My treatment has included 3 surgeries, 4 chemotherapy regimens and radiation. I have a solid team of supporters (including many of you) and I am fortunate to work with an outstanding sarcoma specialist on the west coast. With stage IV cancer, I have hope because my proactive and compassionate doctor is involved in research and has many years of experience seeing a high volume of LMS patients. 

Thank you for considering a donation to LMSDR today so that patients are supported through their LMS experience and the experts are supported in their work to advance treatment options and find a cure. I appreciate your love, friendship and any amount you may be able to donate to LMSDR so that patients like me can continue to be supported by this amazing foundation!

*Leiomyosarcoma Support & Research Foundation (LMSDR) a charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your donation is tax deductible.

Our mission is to empower patients with information and support, fund groundbreaking LMS research and provide a bridge between patients and researchers, to collaborate on finding a cure.