Karen Wyckoff Rein in Sarcoma

Rein in Sarcoma (RIS) was started by Karen Wyckoff, a 25-year-old Synovial Sarcoma patient. As she fought this rare cancer, she found that there were three things that she thought needed doing to increase the quality of life and odds of survival for all sarcoma patients. As she started the organization, she developed the mission as it still remains today: We are dedicated to educating the public and medical community about sarcoma, supporting sarcoma patients and their loved ones, and funding research directed toward developing new treatments and finding a cure for sarcoma cancer. Finding Cures for Sarcoma Cancer: RIS has partnered with many top-notch research institutions including: University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, Children's Minnesota, University of Calgary, Case Western Reserve and University of Michigan. RIS has funded more than $2.5M in high impact and collaborative research. Eighty seven research funding awards have been made to date. Education: RIS has established and expanded its Sarcoma Scholar Program to educate Medical Students and Advanced Practice students about sarcoma. This program began in 2009 with 2 scholars participating from the University of Minnesota and has now grown to 14 scholars from across the country in 2024, participating from University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, University of Florida, University of Michigan, University of Iowa, Winona State University, Medical School of Wisconsin and University of Wisconsin-Madison. Scholars educate their peers and public about sarcoma, complete sarcoma related projects, and go through a year-long sarcoma education program offered by RIS and sarcoma experts, specialists and mentors. In addition, RIS provides free Patient Education Sarcoma Guidebooks to newly diagnosed patients and their caregivers. Guidebooks are also sent to sarcoma centers across the nation for distribution and is available for free download on the RIS website. The 9th Edition Guidebook was completed in 2024. Other educational activities include RIS participation in annual sarcoma related conferences, presenting and tabling opportunities to increase education. RIS has a YouTube channel that houses patient stories and educational videos. Patient and Family Support: Each year, RIS holds a Party in the Park event which is free to sarcoma patients, family members and those who have lost a loved one to sarcoma. Other patient and family support activities include a Winter Gathering for patients to come together and learn about a new sarcoma topic and participate in a reflection activity. The annual RIS Remembers gathering brings together those who have lost a loved one to sarcoma, and offers a time to reflect and honor that loved one. RIS also provides peer to peer mentorship from other sarcoma survivors, Tote Bags of Hope filled with items for newly diagnosed and/or hospitalized patients, an active social media group for sarcoma patients and loved ones, Microgrants for patients in need of financial support during treatment and an in person monthly support group. Rein in Sarcoma is the largest and most well-known sarcoma foundation in the Midwest.