The collaborative association Sarcoma Patients EuroNet (SPAEN) was formed and founded by 11 European GIST, Desmoid and Sarcoma advocacy and support groups April 6th, 2009 in Bad Nauheim/Germany. In close collaboration with experts, the healthcare industry and other stakeholders, SPAEN is working towards improving treatment and care for GIST, Desmoid and sarcoma patients by providing information and support and increasing the visibility of sarcomas with policymakers and the public.
To achieve this, SPAEN has taken several steps: It established a Medical Advisory Board with the leading European experts in GIST, Sarcomas and Desmoids. It also supports international projects as well as advocacy and expert groups who share the same ideas and visions: Improving the treatment of rare cancers. SPAEN in turn is supported by leading international sarcoma experts and expert groups.
Identify problems, challenges, access issues and unmet medical needs in sarcomas. Find solutions and improve the situation by collaborating with leading sarcoma experts, researchers, industry and other relevant international stakeholders/initiatives in an outcome-oriented way.
Sarcoma patients need timely and accurate diagnosis and need to be treated according to guidelines; ideally as early as possible in multidisciplinary sarcoma expert centres. SPAEN advocates and supports the implementation of these structures and pan-European collaboration between these centres.
Clinical research, studies and generating evidence/data are essential parts of the process of developing better and innovative treatment solutions. SPAEN aims to be involved as early as possible in clinical trials, to try to improve patient’s access to studies and to support meaningful research – following the specific needs of rare cancer patients.
Sarcoma patients and their relatives need a strong “United Sarcoma Patient Voice” and strong “National Patient Support Opportunities”. That’s why SPAEN cares for their members – the existing national patient organisations and encourages the creation of new ones.
SPAEN is legally registered under German law. Membership is open to patient groups working with sarcoma, GIST and desmoid patients all over the world.
GIST
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) affects the digestive tract or nearby structures within the abdomen. The most common location is the stomach. GI stromal tumor, or GIST cancer, is a sarcoma.
