Key Dates for your Calendar

June 22-24- FACTOR 2023

FACTOR 2022 INFORMATION

About FACTOR

Conference objectives

FACTOR brings together the leading osteosarcoma researchers and clinicians, along with patient families and OsteoWarriors (survivors, patients and siblings of OsteoWarriors and OsteoAngels) to Make It Better for those battling this disease. This work belongs to all of us.

Collaboration with all interested parties on advancing treatments and improving outcomes for patients with osteosarcoma. Specifically:

• Significantly improve osteosarcoma awareness and patient outcomes through collaborative disease management approach, clinical trials and dedicated osteosarcoma research.

• Brainstorm on challenges and come up with collaborative solutions to fast track improvements for osteosarcoma.

• Create a symbiotic bridge between the osteosarcoma medical and patient community to overcome challenges and create solutions.

• Evaluate funding needs for research and provide awareness for worthy initiatives and funding solutions.

• A dedicated forum to review progress on an annual basis on various osteosarcoma disease management initiatives.

OsteoWarriors Headquarters (HQ)

The OsteoWarriors HQ (headquarters) brings kids and young adults who have a connection to osteosarcoma together and It. Is. Awesome!

Connecting the kids who have lost limbs, friends and siblings to osteosarcoma is one of the most important things we do. To put the hospital behind them for a few days and connect with other kids from across the country who have been through the same thing they have is really special.

HQ is for those 18 and under. We kindly ask that only those who plan to fully participate in HQ select the HQ registration option. OsteoWarrior HQ is for:

• Warriors in treatment for osteosarcoma

• Survivors of osteosarcoma

• Siblings of OsteoWarriors

• Siblings of OsteoAngels



The OsteoWarriors HQ is entirely complimentary, with thanks to the generosity of the Jeffries family.

Questions? - Contact Mary O'Hannigan

Luminarias

Order a Luminaria in honor of an OsteoWarrior or OsteoAngel! They will light the path the General session attendees will take to dinner on Friday night.

Purchase Luminarias here. Email Linda@MIBAgents.org your OsteoWarrior’s or OsteoAngel’s name and photo.

Bereavement Session- Healing Hearts

Join us for a free Healing Hearts grief retreat for bereaved osteosarcoma parents.
This is an opportunity for you to connect with others who share a similar grief experience and understand what you're going through. The hope is that this event provides encouragement, support, and inspiration through planned activities and conversation. 


SESSION LEAD BY: DR. SANDI HOWLETT

Dr. Sandi Howlett is a teacher and life-long learner specializing in bereavement. She has extensive experience with bereavement through her work as Bereavement Special with Hansen Mortuary for 14 years including facilitating grief support groups as well as 1:1 client support, her 16-year affiliation with New Song Center for Grieving Children as facilitator and as part of the training faculty as well as teaching for the American Hospice Foundation and a variety of hospices in Arizona. She has presented at national conferences for Sudden Unexplained Death of a Child, Parents of Murdered Children, MISS Foundation and is an authorized lead facilitator for the Institute for Healing of Memories – North America. She believes that everyone can heal...though the means, time and degree vary. She applies practical wisdom, compassion and humor to assist people in finding their own healing path.

Sandra Howlett, Ed.D. is a bereavement specialist in Phoenix AZ. She facilitates support groups, is a speaker and conducts workshops to help people find their healing space. “Dr. Sandi” uses compassion, humor and education to shine light on dark journeys.

Ambassador Agent Training

Ambassador Agents offer peer support to caregivers and families in treatment for osteosarcoma. Ambassador Agents are:

  • Survivors and caregivers in the osteosarcoma community
  • Out of treatment for at least one year
  • Comfortable with your own journey to support someone in the midst of theirs
  • Want to Make It Better by showing up to offer support

The Ambassador Agent training will prepare you in best practices to support a warrior and/or their family members. Listening skills, ways to build trust, stages of grief and recovery, stress management and the ever popular 'elevator speech' are the foundation of the training. Being an Ambassador Agent is a rewarding experience for both you and the family you are matched with.

Related Events

Mingles, FACTORx

Mingles in Boston, March 31st, 2022

Our first Mingle of 2022 is in Boston on March 31st. We want to see you there! MIB Mingles are casual parties for the osteosarcoma community. Everyone connected to osteosarcoma and those trying to Make It Better are invited. This is event is free, and we will provide drinks and light appetizers. RSVP to events@mibagents.org or Register Here. Please share this invitation.

Stay tuned for more information on upcoming Mingles and FACTORx!

FACTOR Team

Bronwen Greene

Linda Chelsky

Mary Bisaga

Nicole Klok

FAQs

How much is parking at the event & hotel:

Complimentary self parking, $37 overnight valet.

Who can participate in HQ? 

Warriors in treatment for osteosarcoma, survivors of osteosarcoma, siblings of OsteoWarriors, siblings of OsteoAngels who are 18 years old and younger.

Is there a cost for HQ? 

HQ is free thanks to the generous support from the Jeffries Family. FACTOR registration fees are waived for those attending HQ.

Do I need to book my hotel room separately from FACTOR registration? 

YES! Special rates are available at Rancho Bernardo Inn. Click here to reserve your room.

FACTOR 2022 Speakers

John Healey, MD, FACS
Chief, Orthopaedic Service; Stephen McDermott Chair in Surgery
Kenneth Wong, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology
Lisl Schweers, LCSW, OSW-C
Alanna J. Church, MD
Christina Baker, Psy.D.
Noah C. Federman, MD
Jane Yanagawa, MD
Alan T. Blank, M.D., M.S.
Bhuvana A. Setty, MD
Katie Albert, MD
Rosandra N. Kaplan, M.D.
Nicola J. Mason, BVetMed, PhD
Lara E. Davis, M.D.
Viswatej (Vishu) Avutu, MD
Michael Isakoff, MD
Scott Sauer, PhD
Katherine A. Janeway, MD, MMSc
Emily Pope PhD Candidate
Leo Mascarenhas, MD, MS
Lee J. Helman, MD
Pradeep Shrestha, Ph.D.
Emily Simon Rav, M.D.
Betsy Young, MD
Ariana Anjier, M.S.
John A Ligon, MD
Alex Y.C. Huang, MD, PhD
Olena Morozova Vaske, PhD
Dr. Patrick Reynolds, M.D. Ph. D.
Elizabeth A. Stewart, MD
Corrie Painter, Ph.D.
Richard Gorlick, MD
Michelle Sexton, ND
Brian D. Crompton, MD
Masanori Hayashi, MD
Brian Flesner, DVM, MSc
Jessica Davis, M.D.
Brian Van Tine, MD, PhD
Ryan D. Roberts, MD, PhD
Amanda Marinoff, MD
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellow
Alejandro Sweet-Cordero, MD
Professor of Pediatrics, UCSF; Director, Molecular Oncology Initiative & Co-Leader, Pediatric Malignancies Program, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Troy A. McEachron, Ph.D.
INVESTIGATOR Pediatric Oncology Branch
Kara Skrubis
MIB Junior Advisory Board President
Matteo Trucco, MD
Director of Children's Cancer Innovative Therapy Program Associate Staff, Peds Hematology-Oncology & BMT, Cleveland Clinic

Family Fund FACTOR Travel Award

MIB Agents is pleased to offer a limited number of travel awards up to $2,000 for physicians and researchers who would like to attend FACTOR 2022 but do not have institutional or grant support to cover FACTOR 2022 registration and travel expenses. Applications can be submitted online at Proposal Central until April 8th, 2022 and recipients will be notified by April 22nd, 2022.

MIB Agents Family Fund FACTOR Travel Awards are supported by MIB Agents Family Funds, osteosarcoma patients and families who raise funds in honor of an OsteoWarrior or OsteoAngel. Their dedication to Making It Better and fostering collaboration and education in the scientific community makes every MIB Agents award incredibly meaningful.

For more details on eligibility and the application process, please see the Family Fund FACTOR Travel Award guidelines. Please email christina@mibagents.org with any questions.

Scientific Advisory Board

Alanna Church, MD

Associate Director, Laboratory for Molecular Pediatric Pathology (LaMPP); Staff Pathologist,  Boston Children's Hospital; Assistant Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School

Alex Huang, MD, PhD

Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Case Western University School of Medicine; Professor, Department of Pathology, Case Western University School of Medicine; Co-Leader, Immune Oncology Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center; Associate Director, Medical Scientist Training Program, Case Western University School of Medicine

Andy Livingston, MD, MS

Associate Professor, Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics Patient Care, Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Co-director of the MD Anderson Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) oncology program.

Christina Ip-Toma

Director Scientific Programs. FACTOR: Speakers & Travel Award

Damon Reed, MD

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Division Head, Pediatric Solid Tumors, Chief, Pediatric Sarcoma Service

John H. Healey, MD, FACS

Board Member, MIB Agents. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Chief, Orthopaedic Service; Stephen McDermott Chair in Surgery

Katie Janeway, MD

Board Member, MIB Agents. Dana Farber Cancer Center, Director of Clinical Genomics, Senior Physician, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School

Matteo Trucco, MD

Board Member, MIB Agents. Associate Staff Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital. FACTOR: Science Co- Chair.

Nicola Mason, BVetMed, PhD

Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Professor of Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine The Paul A. James and Charles A. Gilmore Endowed Chair Professorship within the Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine

Nicolas Garnier, PhD

MIB Agents Scientific Editorial Advisor, Chief Patient Officer, Servier

Pete Anderson, MD, PhD

Board Member, MIB Agents. Cleveland Clinic Pediatric Hematology Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation

Ramy Ibrahim, MD

Chief Medical and Strategy Officer, Georgiamune Inc. Board of Directors, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy

Rosandra Kaplan, MD

Section Senior Investigator Physician Scientist Pediatric Oncologist NIH.

Register for FACTOR

in person: $325

The magic of being in the same room
Meet the best minds in osteosarcoma
Get to know the patients and families of the community
Share a meal and drink together
HAVE AN AWESOME TIME!

Virtual: $79

Watch over 50 speakers present on all things oseteosarcoma LIVE
Watch from your own home or office
Get access to all the scientific presentations, with the ability to watch and rewatch later!

Hotel Reservations

RANCHO BERNARDO INN

FACTOR 2022 will be held at the beautiful Rancho Bernardo Inn.
17559 Bernardo Oaks Drive
San Diego, CA 92128
United States

MIB Agents is holding a discounted room block for FACTOR attendees.  Please email Sarah@MIBagents.org to reserve your room.

Email sarah to reserve your room

golf

Access to all six JC Golf courses: Rancho Bernardo Inn Resort Course - 18-hole championship (on site)

the spa

Seven indoor treatment rooms.

Five private, outdoor treatment casitas with spa garden.

Couple’s treatment room and casitas.

Indoor and outdoor relaxation lounges.

Manicure and Pedicure Lounge.

Private saline swimming pool with cabanas.

recreation

Three heated outdoor pools

Seven hydro spas

Fitness center

Jogging trails

Health and Safety

All will be required to follow health and safety guidelines from the CDC and the City of San Diego

MIB Agents is proud to partner with these organizations in our mission to Make It Better. Your company can Make It Better, too, please contact teri-gene@mibagents.org for partnership opportunities

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PROMISE

INSPIRE

FACTOR PARTNERS

FACTOR 2022 took place in San Diego on June 23 - June 25, 2022
We hope to see you at FACTOR 2023 in Atlanta!

Click here to visit our FACTOR 2023 page for more information

Why Attend

Cause Connection

FACTOR connects families & osteosarcoma professionals.

Cause Collaboration

Bringing researchers, clinicians, surgeons and caregivers togher.

Cause A Cure

Create a bridge between the osteosarcoma medical and patient community to overcome challenges and create solutions.

“The FACTOR Conference is unique in that it brings together parents, patient advocates, providers, the scientific community and others to share common issues and research advances,and to remember our common struggles against osteosarcoma.”

-Richard Gorlick, MD
Register Now

FACTOR By the Numbers

5th Annual Conference
120 Doctors & Researchers  (2020)
60 Patients and Families(2020)
31 Doctor and Researcher Presentations
1 Bereaved Parents Session
2 Days of Fun &  Activities for OsteoWarriors & Siblings

Venue

Discover San Diego

Great weather, miles of sandy beaches, and major attractions, San Diego is known worldwide as one of the best tourist destinations and a great place

Register Now