In November 2023, Ash Garcia Horn ran the Seattle Marathon. That, in itself, would be a story worth telling, but there is so much more. Ash ran this particular race only days after losing her father, Armando Garcia Correa, to gastric cancer. It was the fulfillment of a challenge she had undertaken with her dad’s encouragement. She was determined to see it through, and she wanted to make it count.

Throughout Armando’s cancer journey, their family used resources on the GCF website and became passionate about contributing to the search for a cure. She opted to transform her run into a fundraiser for the Gastric Cancer Foundation’s patient support and research initiatives.

She created a personal tribute page to honor her dad, share her grief, and enable friends and family to support her by donating to the cause. Each week, Ash posted updates on social media platforms, providing photos and stories to offer glimpses into her running journey. Her effort raised nearly $4,500.

As Ash wrote on her tribute page, “Every step I take during this marathon will be a tribute to my dad's memory and a symbol of hope for those currently facing this challenging journey.”

The Gastric Cancer Foundation has opened applications for 2024 seed grants. Funding will support researchers who are conducting promising new studies with the potential to discover novel treatments or diagnostics for gastric cancer.  This year, two one-time grants of up to $100,000 are anticipated.

Since 2009, the foundation has granted more than $1.5 million in seed grants.  Learn more about prior seed grant recipients here.

Stacy Martin shows Board Member Hans Rueffert a great protein packed snack to have on hand. With a bit of puff pastry, some goat cheese, cranberries, and Seahorse Snacks' own "Chili Turmrific Pistachios" these festive treats are a wonderful addition to any friendly gathering.

This episode is Part Two of a two-part series. Catch up on Part One here.

Progress in the understanding of gastric cancer development and treatment continues. Here are a few highlights in recent news:

Research from Chiba University examines the connection between DNA methylation, Helicobacter pylori infection, and lifestyle factors in gastric tumor development, offering insights for personalized cancer prevention.

Chinese researchers identify Peptidylprolyl isomerase A (PPIA) as a potential marker for poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients, shedding light on a regulatory pathway involving immune responses in gastric cancer.