Our Mission, Values and Vision

Mission

The Northwest Sarcoma Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to providing education and support to patients and families who are living with this specific cancer. Additionally, we will create and actively participate in the direction of a national alliance with other sarcoma foundations and affiliated groups guiding a coalition among private and public concerns furthering research for a cure of sarcomas. We are devoted and single-minded in our purpose as a change agent in these very important pursuits.

Values

Compassion: Provide comfort through a sympathetic awareness.

Advocacy: Promote accurate diagnosis, research and treatment options.

Responsibility: Provide accurate information and reliable resources.

Education: Teach patients, families and health care providers about this disease and its treatment.

Vision

We will provide support to patients and families through the Northwest Sarcoma Foundation Website. We will provide support by creating local networks within Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Montana, Idaho. We will provide timely and accurate information regarding research and treatment options.

History

The Northwest Sarcoma Foundation was founded in 1996 by Dr. Ernest U. Conrad, III; Director of the Sarcoma Service, Vice-Chair of the Department of Orthopaedics and full professor at the University of Washington Medical Center. The Sarcoma Service was the first multi-disciplinary service established at the University of Washington, in 1986. The Sarcoma Service holds clinics for patients with sarcoma through the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

The Northwest Sarcoma Foundation primarily serves pediatric and adult patients and families for the Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Montana and Idaho region of the Pacific Northwest, otherwise known as the WAMI ("whami") Region.

The Northwest Sarcoma Foundation is intended to be a place of support and education for those who are living with a sarcoma and other rare bone tumor diseases. In addition, this site is here to offer support for friends, family and care givers. Because the information on this site is provided for educational purposes only; nothing you read here is intended to replace medical advice. Always consult with a physician about medical and health-related issues.

Each section pertaining to sarcoma and its treatment is designed to provide a basic or general overview, and then point you to more comprehensive resources. These other comprehensive sites have demonstrated helpful information for patients and family members and has been evaluated by a member of our staff. This site will be constantly evolving with the goal to provide more comprehensive information.

Any references to other resources made by the Northwest Sarcoma Foundation is not an endorsement of any individual, agency or organization. The Northwest Sarcoma Foundation may not necessarily agree with all information provided on other web sites, but has found some value may exist for patients and family members.