In 2006, there were 25 Team Sarcomas formed and 825 people participated in various Team Sarcoma events worldwide. Over $114,500 was raised for sarcoma research and families. To learn more, view the 2006 Team Sarcoma Slide Show, or scroll through the 2006 event descriptions and photos.
The 2006 Team Sarcoma Bike Tour took place in Denmark during July 1-7, 2006. Forty-nine people participated in the event in Denmark and were joined daily by a several people along the way. There were 25 Team Sarcomas formed and
770 people participated in various
Team Sarcoma 2006 events worldwide. Over
$114,500 was raised for sarcoma research and families.
Denmark
The Team Sarcoma 2006 Bike Tour in Denmark was wonderful. There were 49 of us that participated the entire seven days. Several people also joined our group for a day or two along the way. The group consisted of sarcoma patients, survivors, caregivers, friends, or family members who have lost a loved one to sarcoma. Our youngest participant had just turned 2-years old and, it’ll be sufficient to say, that our oldest participants are in their mid-to-late 60s.
We were truly an international gathering, coming from Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, Germany and several states within the US, including California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington State. We represented a wide range of professions, occupations, and backgrounds. Ten different sarcomas were represented in our group — Ewing’s soft tissue sarcoma, Ewing’s bone sarcoma, osteosarcoma, angiosarcoma, liposarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, unidentified sarcoma. Askin’s tumor, mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).
One evening after dinner, each person told their own personal sarcoma story and on another evening we had a “Luminary Service” on the beach in Marielyst. Both of these evenings were quite special, emotional and, for some, healing. Because everyone knew some of each other’s sarcoma story, as we walked along and read each bag, the names and the words meant so much more to each of us. Cassandra, with the help of others, arranged the luminary lights in the form of a heart. This is a scene few of us will forget.
People helped one another out when problems arose and there were many friendships made that will last a lifetime.
There were two groups of riders – the “pros” and the “others” – and a group of “walkers”. Denmark is not as flat as many people would have you believe as each day we biked up and down many, many hills. No matter what anyone has told you, Denmark is not flat like the Netherlands. This is a myth promulgated by the Danish Tourist Authority. However, Denmark is very beautiful, bike-friendly, and the people are amazingly hospitable.
For the “pros” the longest ride was 60 miles (96 KM) and there were several 40-mile (64 KM) days as well. The “others” put in a few 40 mile (64 KM) and 25 mile (40 KM) days as well. Everyone gave one another inspiration and hope – we cried, laughed, biked, walked, ate and drank together. Many displayed courage. Finally biking into the Rådhuspladsen in Copenhagen on the seventh and final day of the tour gave everyone a feeling of accomplishment. All in all, it was a memorable event.
A Note About Those Who Joined Us Along The Way
Among those who joined us for a day or two were Dr. Ole Steen Nielsen and his wife Karen. He is the head of the Department of Oncology at Aarhus University Hospital and the most recent past president of the Connective Tissue Oncology Society. Dr. Anette Duensing and her husband Dr. Stefan Duensing also joined us for a day and a half. She is a Research Assistant Professor of Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh’s Cancer Institute Hillman Cancer Center engaged in GIST research. Stefan is also involved in cancer research. Loïc, Elsebeth, Emma, Laura and Nina Folmer, a Danish family, joined us for dinner and the entire next day. Emma is a Ewing’s sarcoma survivor. Francisco, Elena and Daniel Casanova, a family from Spain, joined us for two and a half days. Daniel is a rhabdomyosarcoma survivor. The mother and sister of Henriette Schøning, one of the Danish sarcoma survivors in our group, joined us during the days we were on Fyn. Dr. Kate Long, who is a researcher at Copenhagen University, and her husband Anders joined us for a day of cycling on Møn. The husband and brother of Lotte Laursen, another Danish sarcoma survivor in our group, led our peloton into Copenhagen. The wife of Juergen Gerreser, a angiosarcoma survivor from Germany in our group, joined us at our banquet in Tivoli as did the wife and son of Henrik Lund from Fyntour, who made all of the local arrangements for the tour, drove the sag wagon, repaired the bikes, etc. Finally, Johnannes Nebel, a 12-year mesenchymal chondrosarcoma survivor, who lives in Denmark joined us at the banquet.
Florida
The Moffitt Cancer Center took part in the 2006 Team Sarcoma 2006 Initiative. In was their first year of participation and they hosted a “Sunset Stroll” on Clearwater Beach, Florida. The efforts of Moffitt Cancer Center are being coordinated by Ann Gordon, Dr. Gina D’Amato, and Dr. Samuel Agresta of the Sarcoma Department. Dr. Agresta wrote us, “Our goal is to make this an annual as well as national event in which people with sarcoma and those affected by them will join hand in hand to raise awareness of and funds to improve upon the care of those with sarcoma.” After the event took place, Ann Gordon wrote us, “The event went great! Approximately 100 people participated, since there was heavy rains and lightning threats, the walk was only about a mile. However, I think we raised approximately $1,500. I’m still counting it up. We were on Channel 10 news that night. It was really fun. Thank you for the experience. We are looking forward to next year. Where should I overnight the funds?”
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(Left to right) Dr. Letson, Dr. Agresta, and Dr. D’Amato welcoming the strollers
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Dr. D’Amato, Dr. Centeno and Strollers
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Left to right: Beth, Dr. D’Amato, Dr. Shor and Ann Gordon
Pennsylvania
Dr. Margaret von Mehren, an oncologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, organized a Team Sarcoma/FCCC to be part of Team Sarcoma 2006. The team undertook a walk around the Fox Chase Cancer Center Campus. Dr. von Mehren wrote us the following note after the event, “Bruce, It was wonderful- a mixture of caregivers, support staff and patients. The head of the local leiomyosarcoma foundation chapter, who is not a patient here came as well. We had one patient traveling with her chemo infusion! I look forward to next year making it a bigger and better event!” We had an earlier message from Theresa Russell, also from Fox Chase, in which she said, “Everything was great on our end. We had around 25 – 30 people.”
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Dr. von Mehren gives a motivational start to the walk and thanks everyone for their support
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Team Sarcoma/FCCC gathers in support of sarcoma awareness before they begin their walk
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An inspirational walk – need we say more?
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Patients, caregivers, survivors, families and friends participated
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Dr. von Mehren and patient show their joy from the success of the walk
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Along the walk
Israel
Marlene Portnoy, co-founder of the Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation, formed a Team Sarcoma/DTRF to be part of Team Sarcoma 2006. DTRF seeks to fund research related to the diagnosis and treatment of desmoid tumors, to facilitate and enhance the dialogue among members of the medical and scientific communities about research related to desmoid tumors, and to provide informational support for desmoid tumor patients and their families and friends, and heightening awareness of desmoid tumor diagnosis and treatment. 10 people formed Team Sarcoma/DTRF and the climbed from the desert floor to the top of Masada in Israel.
Marlene (closest to the camera) and Team Sarcoma/DTRF en route to the top
Denmark
Karen Møller of the University of Aarhus in Denmark organized a bike tour on the west coast of Denmark as part of Team Sarcoma 2006. Here is a note that we received from her a few days after their ride was over, “I’m so thrilled that the weather is with you – and the rest of us. I hope you’re having a good time. We had a very nice day. 16 people each did 25 km from Vedersø Klit to the Vest Stadil Fjord Bird Sanctuary, on to Stadil Church, Vedersø Church and back to the North Sea for a cooling swim. A good time was had by all!”
