The Red Flags of Sarcoma Educational Campaign was officially launched at Rein in Sarcoma's 12th Annual Party in the Park on July 23rd. This multi-year initiative will strive to significantly increase earlier and proper diagnosis of sarcoma cancers thereby increasing sarcoma survival rates by as much as 20%.
The Red Flags Campaign is a cooperative effort of Rein in Sarcoma and Sarcoma physicians from the University of Minnesota and Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota. Read More...
Dr Christian Ogilvie formally announced the Camapign during the evening's opening program. He talked about the importance of making primary medical providers and the public aware of the red Flags of Sarcoma and to take appropriate action to rule out sarcoma diagnosis.
As a part of the inauguration of the Campaign, Dr Ogilve announced and read a proclamation by Gov Mark Dayton setting July 23 - 30th as the first ever Sarcoma Awareness Week in Minnesota.
To read the Governor's proclamation, click here.
Speaking on behalf of the Red Flags Committee, was Michele Kolling. "My sarcoma story is actually my husband’s sarcoma story. My husband Brett Dale was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in November 2010 and only 3 months 
later, despite aggressive treatment, the tumor literally consumed him. On February 9 2011 we said our final goodbye. Like most of you here with sarcoma stories of your own, you had never heard of sarcoma. A big part of KWRIS foundation’s mission is education. Last fall, Theresa Baultrippe and Sue and Pete, and the doctors of the medical advisory board, began discussing what they could do to further the educational efforts—amp it up, to take to the next level.
Out of those discussions a new committee was formed and tonight we are very proud to launch our new Educational Campaign, Red Flags. The broad goal of this Super Committee is to end that “Never Heard Of It” part of the sarcoma story. First we need to educate the general public about sarcoma—raise awareness. Secondly, to educate the medical community.
Because sarcoma is so rare, many in the medical profession have never come across a case in their own practices, and therefore, aren’t looking for it when a patient comes in with symptoms. By raising awareness, getting the message out, our goal is to find sarcomas early, before metastasis, when they are more responsive to treatment. We also want this outreach to mirror what we consider one of our great strengths here at KWRIS—sarcoma, patients, survivors, and laymen working together with the medical professionals to get to the same goal.
Next time you go to your doctor, nurse practitioner, chiropractor, physical therapist, trainer, massage therapist, ask them “have you ever seen/heard of sarcoma?” See what they say. Tell them the Red Flags. Tell them your story. If we work together, we can change the sarcoma story from “Never Heard of It” to “We caught it early, and I am a Cancer Free.”
The Campaign's announcement was concluded by Ruth Bachman one of several key spokespersons for the new initiative. "Knowledge is power. The Red Flags of Sarcoma Campaign educates the public on the symptoms of sarcoma, with the goal of promoting early detection and ultimately saving lives.
Please join me in this effort. Do these few easy things:
With your help, sarcoma will become a cancer people know and recognize. It will hopefully still be rare, but its dangerous symptoms will no longer go undetected. Not all lumps, bumps and bruises will lead to a sarcoma diagnosis, but with knowledge and awareness, lives will be saved."
The Red Flags Campaign will consist of two major initiatives:
1)
Public Campaign- A multifaceted campaign to inform the public of the red flags of sarcoma and to take
appropriate action. Strategies include:
- Red Flags Brochure - To see a PDF of the brochure, and to order Red Flags Brochure to distribute to friends and medial professionals, click here.
- Setting up and promoting a Red Flags of Sarcoma speaker bureau that will include both an sarcoma medical expert and someone who can personally tell their sarcoma story.
- Developing a Red Flags Media and PR Campaign
- A special initiative to reach teenagers and young adults
2) Professional Campaign - An educational initiative to inform primary doctors, other health care professionals, and health systems to the red flags of sarcoma and to take appropriate action when these symptoms are presents.
Strategies will include:
- Print materials designed for medical professionals
- RIS website provides professional resources
- Professional presentations by experts from both the University of Minnesota and Children's Hospitals, with personal stories of people impacted by sarcoma
- Articles in professional journals, and
- Advocating to health system medical protocols similar to successful programs being used in other countries.
RIS will be working in the coming weeks to secure additional financial support for the Red Flags Campaign from individuals, foundations and corporations.
Learn more and join the Red Flags Campaign
- Become a Campaign Ambassador & Take the Red Flags Pledge.
- Read more about campaign.
- Spread the word through social media that you may use such as Facebook or Twitter.
- For a PDF of the Red Flags of Sarcoma Brochure, click here.
