The Paula Takacs Foundation for Sarcoma Research

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The Paula Takacs Foundation for Sarcoma Research

We fund sarcoma research, amplify awareness and nurture community. Please visit us at SarcomaIsCancer.org & GrowingHopeThroughArt.org

The mission of the Paula Takacs Foundation for Sarcoma Research is to raise funds for local research, and amplify awareness, accelerating the fight to eradicate sarcoma cancers. Through these endeavors, we open both local and global pathways for the development of new sarcoma treatments and increase the speed of accurate diagnoses. Paula and Geoffrey Takacs founded the Paula Takacs Foundation for Sarcoma Research in 2010 to fund research and raise awareness for this rare and complex cancer. Paula passed away from sarcoma in April, 2014. It is her legacy that we proudly carry today. To date, the Paula Takacs Foundation has raised almost $4 million for pediatric and adult sarcoma research. The annual Sarcoma Stomp walk/run is the signature event of the Paula Takacs Foundation for Sarcoma Research held each April. Learn more at sarcomastomp.org. Our Growing Hope Through Art program, raising funds and awareness of sarcoma through permanent art installations, furthers our impact while telling beautiful stories of hope and courage in communities. Seasons of Life, an 18-foot blown glass art installation, will be installed in 2024 at Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, NC. Learn more and donate at growinghopethroughart.org. Visit paulatakacsfoundation.org to learn more, find sarcoma resources, opt in to our periodic newsletters, and to get involved. We need you to accelerate the discovery of sarcoma cures. Sarcoma is a cancer of the connective tissue, such as bones, muscles, nerves, fat, cartilage, tendons, and blood vessels. Sarcomas comprise less than 1% of adult cancers and about 15-20% of pediatric cancers. Approximately one-half of bone sarcomas and about one-fifth of soft tissue sarcomas are diagnosed in people under the age of 35. The overall relative 5-year survival rate of people with sarcomas is around 50%, a statistic that has not changed in almost five decades. To learn more about sarcomas, please visit www.sarcomaiscancer.org.

01/12/2026

Get ready to support our mission through our Silent Auction, opening Wednesday, 1/14!

Our Silent Auction is packed with unforgettable experiences — from Airbnb getaways and incredible restaurant experiences to golf, wine tastings, art, and more 🍷⛳🎨

Whether you’re dreaming of a weekend escape or a memorable night out close to home, there’s something for everyone.

👉 Preview & bid: onecau.se/PTFchampionscelebration

01/08/2026

✨ Meet Our Champions Celebration Speakers ✨

As we count down to the Champions Celebration, we’re honored to welcome an incredible lineup of voices guiding an evening of hope and impact:

Scott DeFalco – actor and national TV spokesperson, bringing heart and energy as our emcee
Kerry Lindauer – synovial sarcoma survivor, sharing her powerful story of resilience
Dr. Joshua Patt – PTF Endowed Chair for Sarcoma Research, highlighting breakthroughs and announcing 2025 grant recipients
Christine Wade – Executive Director, sharing her personal story and the future of our mission

Their stories remind us why this work matters — and what’s possible when we come together. We can’t wait to see you in just a couple of weeks!

01/01/2026

✨Happy New Year! Registration is OPEN! ✨

Start 2026 by moving with purpose. Registration for the 15th Annual Sarcoma Stomp is officially open! To celebrate 15 years of impact, the first 150 participants can register for just $30.

Join us on April 11, 2026 at Christ Lutheran Church and help us move hope forward together in support of life-saving sarcoma research.

👉 Register now: https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Charlotte/TheSarcomaStomp

12/31/2025

We’re proud to support innovative, science-driven sarcoma research through this newly approved grant. This work reflects our commitment to advancing discoveries that have the potential to change outcomes for patients. Thank you to OncoDaily for helping amplify this important research.

Wei Zhang: Paula Takacs Foundation Approves Grant for Cancer Nanotechnology Research / cancer, Dawen Zhao, Guangxu Jin, Megan Jagosky, Nury Steuerwald,

12/29/2025

✨ Sarcoma Stomp Registration Opens January 1! ✨

We’re kicking off our 15th Annual Sarcoma Stomp in a big way! To celebrate 15 years of funding sarcoma research, the first 150 participants can register for just $30.

Join us on April 11, 2026 for a powerful morning of community, movement, and purpose as we come together to support life-saving sarcoma research. Every step you take helps advance critical research, improve outcomes, and bring hope to patients and families facing this rare cancer.

Whether you run, walk, form a team, fundraise, or cheer from the sidelines—your participation truly makes a difference. We are deeply grateful to everyone who continues to show up year after year in honor of those impacted by sarcoma.

🗓 Race Day: April 11, 2026
📍Location: Christ Lutheran Church
🎟 Registration opens: January 1
🎽First 150 registrations: $30

👉 Register starting January 1 at: https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Charlotte/TheSarcomaStomp

12/25/2025

🎄Happy Holiday's from the Paula Takacs Foundation 🎄

As the year comes to a close, we want to say thank you to our incredible PTF community—families, survivors, patients, researchers, clinicians, donors, and advocates. Your compassion and commitment make our mission possible.

The holidays can bring many emotions. Wherever you are on your journey, please know you are not alone. Together, we are moving hope forward, funding research, amplifying awareness, and standing with those impacted by sarcoma.

Wishing you peace, comfort, and hope this holiday season and into the new year.

- Christine Wade, Executive Director

12/23/2025

We’re honored to be featured in Atrium Health Foundation’s Momentum Magazine!

This feature highlights the establishment of the $2 million Paula Takacs Foundation Endowed Chair for Sarcoma Research at Atrium Health—an investment in hope, innovation, and the future of sarcoma care.

Led by Dr. Joshua C. Patt, the inaugural endowed chair is advancing critical research focused on earlier detection, novel therapies, and improved outcomes for both pediatric and adult sarcoma patients. Together with our partners at Atrium Health, we are proud to carry Paula’s legacy forward through life-changing research.

Read the full article ➡https://www.atriumhealthfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ahf-momentum-fall25-r5.pdf

12/22/2025

This holiday season, your generosity can be the gift of hope.🎁

As the year comes to a close, we invite you to make a year-end donation in support of life-saving sarcoma research. Every gift helps fund critical research and brings us closer to better treatments and brighter tomorrows. 💛

🎁 Give a meaningful holiday gift—donate today: https://paulatakacsfoundation.org/ways-to-give/?form=GIVE

12/18/2025

✨ Volunteers Needed! ✨

Join us for the 2026 Champions Celebration on January 21, 2026 and help make this special night possible in support of sarcoma research 💛

We have multiple volunteer shifts available—with great perks, including complimentary food and gift cards!

🕒 Set-Up & Guest Check-In | 3:30/4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
🍷 Silent Auction & Drink Tickets | 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
🎁 Auction Item Pick-Up & Event Breakdown | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

📩 Interested?
Fill out the form: https://forms.office.com/r/7hwPkFRhBM
or email justine@paulatakacsfoundation.org to learn more.

12/17/2025

Check out this quick guide to navigating the resources on our website. Have questions? Send us a message or email info@paulatakacsfoundation.org.

12/15/2025

Sarcoma Fund Financial Assistance Reopens January 1

The Paula Takacs Foundation is proud to support families facing cancer-related financial hardship. Treatment requires more than medicine—patients and their loved ones also need stable housing, food on the table, and reliable transportation to access care.

In partnership with Family Reach, the Sarcoma Fund reopens January 1 to support North Carolina sarcoma patients with essential non-medical expenses, including:
• Mortgage or rent
• Utilities
• Groceries
• Transportation

Because no family should have to choose between basic needs and lifesaving care.

Applications open January 1, 2026:
🔗 https://paulatakacsfoundation.org/our-programs/financial-assistance-program/

Surviving cancer requires more than medicine — families need a roof over their heads and food on their tables. Family Reach is a nonprofit that helps people ...

12/10/2025

Meet Doug Sleeper — survivor, husband, dad, golfer, and now Chair of the Paula Takacs Foundation. 💛

Discover his inspiring journey and full interview on our website. 🔗https://paulatakacsfoundation.org/community-stories/doug-sleeper/

Address

Turtleback Ridge
Weddington, NC
28104

Telephone

+17045165113

Website

https://www.paulatakacsfoundation.org/, https://linktr.ee/paulatakacsfoundation

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Our Story

Paula and Geof Takacs founded the Paula Takacs Foundation for Sarcoma Research in 2010 to fund clinical research and raise awareness for this rare and complex universe of cancers. Paula lost her life to liposarcoma in April, 2014. It is her legacy that we carry on today. To date, the Paula Takacs Foundation has donated over $1.4 million for sarcoma research through its signature fundraiser, The Sarcoma Stomp, and other fundraising events. The Sarcoma Stomp is one of the largest and most successful sarcoma run/walks in the United States, raising over $250,000 with 1,500 participants in 2019!

Since 2012 our philanthropy has funded the sarcoma research program at Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, NC, helping to offer novel treatments and improve the lives of both adults and children suffering from sarcomas. The Paula Takacs Foundation is currently funding a blood vs. tumor biopsy study (an adjunct study to the sarcoma clinical trial we helped fund at Levine Cancer Institute and Levine Children’s Hospital from 2017-2019), as well as research studies in osteosarcoma and synovial sarcoma. There will also be a new clinical trial funded at Levine Cancer Institute pending approval. To learn more about these projects, please visit https://www.paulatakacsfoundation.org/about-us/our-partner/.

Sarcoma is a cancer of the connective tissue, such as bones, muscles, nerves, fat, cartilage, tendons, and blood vessels. Sarcomas comprise less than 1% of adult cancers, but about 15% of pediatric cancers. Approximately one-half of bone sarcomas and about one-fifth of soft tissue sarcomas are diagnosed in people under the age of 35. The overall relative 5-year survival rate of people with soft tissue sarcomas is around 50%, a statistic that has not changed in many decades.