Sarcoma Awareness Month: Knowing the Signs Could Save a Life Sarcoma Awareness Month is a time to reflect on the subtle, often misleading symptoms that can mask a devastating diagnosis. Sarcoma doesn’t always arrive loudly, it can begin with something that feels almost benign and often confused with other illnesses. Even if sarcoma has not touched your life directly, with eight Australians diagnosed every day, the odds are high that one day, someone you know will be affected by in some way by this rare and aggressive cancer. Meet Anne Pantazis. “On our holiday in Europe back in 2018, I started experiencing strange sensations in my right leg. I was going numb in the front of my shin, and there was an unusual pain running down the back of my leg—very similar to sciatica.” Imagine being 53 years old, at a turning point in life - your children have begun forging their own paths, and you’re finally entering a time of freedom, travel, and shared plans with your life partner. But instead of enjoying this new chapter, Anne was met with a diagnosis of myxofibrosarcoma, a rare soft tissue sarcoma that would change everything. Over the past five and a half years, @anne__bionica has faced the experience with extraordinary courage, fierce advocacy, and relentless hope. Her story is a powerful reminder of how quickly life can be derailed, and how vital it is to listen to your body. In her interview, Anne shares her story with a blend of raw honesty, humour, and urgency. It’s a roller coaster of emotion, and one that inspires and provokes in equal measure. She has become a passionate voice for the sarcoma community, particularly in calling for greater awareness of sarcoma symptoms among frontline healthcare professionals, and her unwavering commitment to those undergoing amputation. Her message is clear: listen to your patients, and never dismiss persistent or unexplained symptoms without ruling out sarcoma. Early diagnosis saves lives. And stories like Anne’s remind us that awareness is not just about information, it’s about action, empathy, and listening. #SAM25 #curesarcoma #jgspfsp (fb)

Knowing your body and recognising what’s not normal is key. Throughout July we will continue to raise awareness of the red flags that can lead to earlier diagnosis & save lives, while we remain steadfast in our commitment to funding a cure through research, & supporting those going through a sarcoma diagnosis with the Jack Gibson Sarcoma Patient & Family Support Programme. Hearing directly from those living with sarcoma is vital to understanding the challenges of timely diagnosis. This July, we begin our awareness series with Stacey Walvin, “I had a sore shoulder for six months. I thought I’d just injured it at work…” When Stacey first started feeling shoulder pain in 2020, she brushed it off as a work-related injury, a common issue for someone who’s spent her life immersed in dance. After months of physio and massage therapy with no relief, the truth was devastating, Stacey was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a rare & aggressive form of bone cancer. This August, Stacey celebrates 5 years in remission, A milestone built on fierce resilience, unwavering spirit, & a whole lot of love. But the road hasn’t been easy. The surgery that saved her life also left her without the use of her shoulder joint, a cruel twist for a woman whose life has always been defined by movement. I live with pain every day. It comes and goes, & I manage it. But it’s the emotional pain that sneaks up on me.” Stacey continues to run her beloved Generation Dance Centre in Brisbane, adapting her teaching style and leaning on her older students to demonstrate moves she can no longer perform. “I had to stop teaching the littlies, which broke my heart. They were always my favourites.” Her studio’s annual Mid-Year Showcase has become a celebration of survival and strength, and a powerful fundraiser for sarcoma services through CRBF, amassing over $12000. “Our students perform, local businesses donate raffle prizes, and there’s always a sausage sizzle..” Stacey is a beacon of strength, generosity, and fierce determination. Her story reminds us that sarcoma doesn’t just affect the body, it touches identity, daily life, and lifelong passions. More on Stacey story in link in our bio (fb)