About Us

Sarcoma Survivors at Rein in Sarcoma’s Annual Winter Gathering

We are a resource for patients and families touched by sarcomas, an uncommon and often misdiagnosed group of bone and soft tissue cancers that strike children and adults alike. We are a nationally-known sarcoma foundation and provide support to patients and loved ones all across the world. Founded in Minnesota in 2001, we have funded over $2 million in innovative, collaborative and high-impact research and education initiatives at top medical research institutions such as Mayo Clinic, the University of Minnesota, and Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.

Our Mission

Our three-pronged mission: educating the public and medical community about sarcomas, supporting sarcoma patients and their loved ones, and funding research directed toward developing new treatments and finding a cure for sarcoma cancers.

Education

Our high-impact education programs increase awareness about sarcoma cancers among the medical community and the general public.

Support

We are dedicated to supporting sarcoma patients, survivors, and those who have lost a loved one to sarcoma. Our year-round events will give you a chance to meet and connect with other sarcoma patients and survivors.

Fund Research

We have funded over 2 million dollars in sarcoma research at top universities and medical institutions in MN such as Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota that have propelled groundbreaking treatments.

Our Story

Karen Wyckoff, Rein in Sarcoma founder

Rein in Sarcoma was created by Karen Wyckoff in 2001 to raise awareness and fund cures for sarcoma cancers. The event, which is now our Annual Party in the Park, was held at the Cafesjian’s Carousel, located on the grounds of Como Park in St. Paul, MN. Karen died from Synovial Sarcoma a month after the first event was held. Since then, hundreds gather on a Monday evening in July to rein in sarcoma, and to celebrate Karen’s dream of “a world without sarcoma cancers”.

Read Karen’s story

Through our actions we are sewing our own legacy; a legacy that will live on long after we are gone. No one can take away the memories and love that a person has left behind.
Karen Wyckoff, Rein in Sarcoma founder

Our Symbols

The Sunflower

A symbol of hope, the sunflower is used by sarcoma communities around the globe to remind those affected by sarcoma that they are not alone and they are strong.

RIS site icon

The carousel horse is the cornerstone of our logo, as the first Party in the Park was held at the Cafesjian’s Carousel currently located at Como Park in St. Paul, MN. The carousel horse reminds us all of Karen’s dream of a world without sarcoma cancers. 

Our Team

Lachelle Semanko

Executive Director

execdirector@reininsarcoma.org

David Stibbe

David Stibbe

Development Director

dstibbe@reininsarcoma.org

Joe Osterbauer Lopez

Office Manager

 admin@reininsarcoma.org

Katy Engelby

Education and Communications Manager

 marketing@reininsarcoma.org

2023 Board of Directors

Eric Lien

Eric Lien

President

president@reininsarcoma.org

Conner O'Brien

Conner O’Brien

Vice President

vpresident@reininsarcoma.org

Mitch Atherton

Treasurer

treasurer@reininsarcoma.org

Aaron Halbe

Aaron Halbe

Secretary

secretary@reininsarcoma.org

Maureen Anderson

Maureen Anderson

John Charlson, MD

Brendan Dillon

Andrea Espejo-Freire, MD

Laura Gagne

Blake Hastings

Blake Hastings

David Largaespada, PhD

Scott Okuno, MD

Jason Patalonis

Jason Patalonis

Colin Ryan

Stephanie Terezakis, MD

Emeritus Board Members

  • Pete Wyckoff, Rein in Sarcoma Co-founder
  • Sue Wyckoff, Rein in Sarcoma Co-founder
  • Edward Cheng, MD
  • Tom Dougherty
  • Kathryn Dusenbery, MD
  • Mike Trucano
Amanda Parkes, MD

Amanda Parkes, MD

Medical Director – Oncology, Early Development 

University of Minnesota

L. Chinsoo Cho, MD, MS

Radiation Oncologist

Kathryn Dusenbery, MD

Professor and Department Head, Department of Radiation Oncology

Jutta Ellerman, MD

Associate Professor, Department of Radiology

Emily Greengard, MD

Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology and BMT

Christian Ogilvie, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Associate Professor, RIS Medical Advisory Chair

Stephanie Terezakis, MD

Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology

Mayo Clinic – Minnesota

Scott H. Okuno, MD

Oncology, Orthopedic Oncology

Steven I. Robinson, MBBS

Oncologist

Mayo Clinic – Arizona

Safia Ahmed, MD

Radiation Oncologist

Children’s Minnesota

Julie Chu, MD

Hematology-Oncology, Pediatric

Regions Hospitals – HealthPartners

Randy Hurley, MD

Medical Director Cancer Program, HealthPartners


Financial Information

RIS is a non-profit 501-C-3 Tax exempt organization, with a small professional staff supporting a largely volunteer run organization. All members of its Board of Directors serve without compensation. The Board has instituted a “Conflict of Interest and Discharge of Duties” policy to protect the interests of RIS to fully carry out its mission. A copy of this policy can be secured by email.