Despite the heat, our sarcoma community showed up and made Party in the Park one to remember! Hundreds of patients, survivors, families, friends, healthcare professionals, volunteers, and supporters came together at Como Park for an afternoon filled with connection, support, and hope.
This year’s theme, “Celebrate the Moment,” felt especially meaningful. Even with the intense heat requiring some event adjustments, our community remained flexible, positive, and determined to make the most of the day. We are so grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make the event such a success.
One of the highlights of this year’s event was the introduction of our new Patient & Family Support Hub.
The Hub created a welcoming space for patients and families to connect, share experiences, ask questions, and find support. We were especially excited to see newly diagnosed patients and families connecting with those who have been part of the sarcoma community for years. Those connections are at the heart of what Rein in Sarcoma is all about. Whether someone is just beginning their journey or has been living with sarcoma for many years, there is tremendous value in finding others who understand.
Party in the Park was also an opportunity to celebrate Rein in Sarcoma’s commitment to advancing sarcoma research.
During the event, we presented the University of Minnesota with $50,000 in research funding to support continued work toward better treatments and, ultimately, a cure. Every research investment represents hope for the future, and is made possible because of the generosity of our donors and sponsors.
We were also honored to present Dr. Elsa Keeler with the 2026 Excellence in Education Award.
This award recognizes outstanding contributions to sarcoma education and the important role advocates and healthcare professionals play in improving understanding, care, and outcomes for the sarcoma community.
Congratulations, Dr. Keeler, and thank you for your dedication to education.
From our volunteers and sponsors to the healthcare professionals who joined us at Meet the Experts, vendors, community partners, and every person who attended, we couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you for braving the heat, embracing the changes, and continuing to make space for connection and community. And thank you to everyone who helped create an environment where patients and families could simply be together, feel supported, and celebrate the moment.
Party in the Park is more than an event. It is a reminder of what can happen when the sarcoma community comes together to support one another, invest in research, celebrate education and progress, and create hope for the future.
Thank you for being part of the Rein in Sarcoma community. Together, we are stronger.