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Welcome to the Sarcoma Patient Advocacy Global Network!

Sarcoma Patient Advocacy Global Network (SPAGN) is the global network of national Sarcoma Patient Advocacy Organizations. Today, more than 60 member groups from 5 continents gather under the umbrella of SPAGN, providing a common, international and influential patient voice for sarcoma patients around the globe. SPAGN is working to improve the treatment and care of sarcoma patients through information and support, and by increasing the visibility of sarcoma with policymakers and the public.

News

Dec 7 2022

Global TGCT consensus paper published

Dec 7, 2022

The SPAGN expert-patient global consensus paper on the management of TGCT (Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor) has been published in “Cancer Treatment Reviews”. Over 50 experts and patient advocates have worked together over months to formalize guidelines based on the available evidence and experience within the expert community. We are happy and proud to bring…

Dec 2 2022

SPAGN Annual Conference & New Horizons GIST 2023:
Hand in Hand for the first time

Dec 2, 2022

Save the Date! 2023 SPAGN Annual Conference May 11-13, 2023 in Dublin/Ireland NEW HORIZONS GIST May 13-15, 2023 in Dublin/Ireland For the first time ever, the SPAGN Annual Conference and the New Horizons GIST Meeting will be held hand in hand. About the SPAGN Annual Conference: Since 2010, SPAEN/SPAGN has organized annual conferences to…

Nov 23 2022

Recording available: SPAGN Knowledge Spot – Gamma Secretase Inhibitors in Desmoid Tumors

Nov 23, 2022

“Gamma Secretase Inhibitors – A new paradigm in Desmoid Tumors?” December 1, 2022, 5pm CET / 11am ET / 9:30pm IST Update on medical therapies in desmoid tumors, by Prof. Bernd Kasper, University Hospital of Mannheim, Germany, moderated by Christina Baumgarten, SOS Desmoid Germany, SPAGN Board Member A joint event by SPAGN and the Sarcoma…

Nov 22 2022

SPAGN Annual Conference 2023 – Save-the-Date

Nov 22, 2022

Since 2010, SPAEN/SPAGN has organized annual conferences to bring sarcoma, GIST and desmoid patient groups, experts, researchers and industry together. These conferences were held each year as onsite meetings with approx. 80-100 participants from over 25 countries including patient advocates, leading sarcoma experts and representatives of the pharma industry. The three-day conference focuses on research…

Nov 17 2022

CTOS & SPAGN: A newly formed, powerful collaboration in sarcomas

Nov 17, 2022

Woelfersheim / Vancouver, November 17, 2022 – Today, the Connective Tissue Oncology Society and the Sarcoma Patient Advocacy Global Network officially announced their collaboration. The two organizations will work together towards achieving the following shared goals: Raise awareness of sarcoma Identify and advance relevant knowledge Define obstacles and challenges to improving sarcoma care Advocate…

Nov 8 2022

Patient Advocacy
@CTOS 2022

Nov 8, 2022

The Annual Conference of the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) is the main meeting place for sarcoma experts and all interested in sarcomas each year. In 2022, SPAGN will for the first time ever host a “Patient Advcocay Lounge” during the whole congress as well as a “SPAGN Reception” for patient advocates and everybody interested. SPAGN reception @CTOS…

May 28 2024

From chaos to control: Three decades in the continuum of care

May 28, 2024

We celebrate with V Care 30 years of patient advocacy work in Mumbai, India and other states! Integral part of this pioneering cancer patient association is Spandan, a welcoming space for those affected by sarcoma. Spandan means ‘heartbeat’ in English. Vandana Gupta, founder of V Care, explains their mission, success and lessons learnt along the way.

A graphic featuring a photo of the award winners from this year's Advocacy in Action Awards with the title of the post and a link to the blog.

May 7 2024

Six great examples of sarcoma patient advocacy to follow this year!

May 7, 2024

This year's winning projects of the SPAGN Advocacy in Action Awards demonstrate the creativity, deep insights into patients concerns, dedication and professionalism of our members to help improve sarcoma patients access to care and quality of life. A big applause!

Mar 29 2024

My lumpy life as a young adult

Mar 29, 2024

“After a shower, I noticed an odd lump on my left hip. Two weeks passed, but Lumpy—the name I declared this mysterious lump—remained. Luckily, I had a when in doubt, check it out mentality…” Read about Matt’s sarcoma journey and find out why sarcoma is like skydiving.

Mar 7 2024

Somos raros, mas juntos somos mas fortes!

Mar 7, 2024

Juntas, duas pacientes brasileiras com tumor desmoide, Carolina Menezes e Georgia Garofalo, fundaram a Desmoide Brasil em 2021. Desde então, a Desmoide Brasil tem – entre outras iniciativas -- organizado simpósios, montado exposições, lançado um registro de pacientes, escrito um livreto de boas-vindas para novos pacientes, e estabelecido uma comunidade online ativa no Facebook e WhatsApp. Sua história é uma inspiração!

Mar 7 2024

We are rare, but together we are stronger!

Mar 7, 2024

Together, two Brazilian desmoid tumor patients, Carolina Menezes and Georgia Garofalo, founded Desmoide Brasil in 2021. In the years since then, Desmoide Brasil has – among other things -- hosted symposia, organized an exhibition, launched a patient registry, penned a welcoming booklet for new patients, and established a thriving online community on Facebook and WhatsApp. Their story is an inspiration!

Feb 20 2024

Should I join a clinical trial?

Feb 20, 2024

When you have been diagnosed with sarcoma you are faced with making important, and at times daunting decisions about treatment. Amongst the treatment choices, a clinical trial may be an option. But how do you know if it is a good option for you? Is it something you should even consider? Denise Reinke asks 6 key questions about clinical trials and provides helpful answers for sarcoma patients to consider.

Working together, making a difference.

SPAGN and Members

The network only is as strong as its members. SPAGN welcomes every sarcoma, GIST or desmoid patient group and individuals interested in sarcomas worldwide to become part of our network and thus strengthen it.

Events and Projects

SPAGN not only hosts a variety of events, but also participates in congresses and external events. It is our aim to represent the patients' voice wherever suitable, necessary and potentially helpful to achieve our goals, foremost to improve the situation of sarcoma patients around the globe. Find out more in our section "Events & Projects"

Advocacy & Tools

Our member organizations are very active in their countries and we try to support them wherever possible, and even more so in the future. Please stay tuned, there's more to come!

Experts & Research

Sarcomas are rare. It is therefore very important to find physicians or even better multidisciplinary teams who have experience with this disease. SPAGN is setting up alist of sarcoma centers or centers with sarcoma expertise per country. Find out more here.

Sarcoma Facts & Figures

Sarcomas are a diverse and relatively rare group of malignant tumors. The vast majority of diagnosed sarcomas are soft tissue sarcomas, while malignant bone tumors make up just over 10%.

Find out more about Soft Tissue Sarcomas, Bone Sarcomas, GIST and Desmoid Tumors in our section "Sarcoma Facts & Figures"

Blog, News and Newsletter

Please visit our News section or our SPAGN Blog "Voices of Sarcoma". To get regular information, please sign up for our Newsletter today!