The Sarcoma Strong Annual Gala was spearheaded in 2023 by medical students enrolled in the Sarcoma Strong Service-Learning Program at Albany Medical College. The event honors the sarcoma heroes, patients, their families, and the students who build relationships with them. Each academic year new 1st and 2nd-year medical students are paired with one or two sarcoma patients. The students become patient advocates and help raise awareness by learning and sharing each patient’s sarcoma journey or experience. The students learn valuable lessons on the softer skills of being a clinician, like empathy, listening, compassion, and having difficult conversations.   

Each year, we highlight one aspect of our mission of Sarcoma Strong. Our essential intent is to see less human suffering from sarcoma. We do this through raising awareness, advocacy, and supporting impactful sarcoma research.