HugFest

HugFest is an annual gathering of LMS families. The first event was organized and hosted by Karen Gibson as a way to bring the online LMS Survors and Caregivers together to meet in person.

The first event was held in Lancaster, PA as a luncheon and meeting of LMS Families. There were many stories shared and visions of a way to keep this annual gathering going.

Inspired by the sixty five people that were present, Ed Hoag spoke of how he would like to see a foundation started to promote the Awareness of and raise funds for LMS Research.

Within a very short period of time several ideas and volunteers came forward, hence, the birth of The National Leiomyosarcoma Foundation, Inc and the continuation of our annual Hugfest gatherings.

In 2004 HugFest moved to Philadelphia to accomodate a blood draw at Coriell University. Blood was drawn from the LMS volunteers to be processed, and frozen for future research. We also had a tour of Pennsylvania Hospital and a wonderful luncheon at the hospital arranged and provided by our late board member Boyce Adams. The very next year the main program of Hugfest was moved to the Downtown Club, thanks again to Boyce Adams, due to increase in size. HugFest has steadily grown in size and knowledge each year. Speakers from our research projects attend each year to update us. This is a great opportunity to meet and talk to the Doctors in charge of the research. Imagine a room full of LMS patients, survivors, care givers, and families, only at HugFest. If it were not for HugFest and BridgeFest, we may never know another person with LMS. The support you find at HugFest is undescribable.