Accelerating Cures Through

Patient-Powered Collaboration

For Patients
For Researchers

Our Mission

The Rare Cancer Research Foundation (RCRF) is a 501(c)3 dedicated to curing rare cancers through strategic investments and innovative collaborations that facilitate effective research and accelerate the deployment of promising therapies.

  • The Rare Cancer Research Foundation was started by Mark Laabs, who started RCRF and envisioned a future of patient-powered research that would accelerate the search for cures.

  • Over 400,000 people every year are diagnosed with rare cancer in the US, yet most rare cancers do not have effective treatments. With limited information about these diseases and limited access to tissue samples and medical records, researchers are struggling to make progress in improving patient outcomes.

  • Led by a team of multidisciplinary scientists, cancer patients, and clinicians, our work is guided by the experiences, needs, and voices of those with rare cancer and the researchers whose mission is to one day find a cure for these diseases.

    We are building the tools and infrastructure that empower patients to advocate for their care while directly impacting cancer research. Through our patient-powered platform, Pattern.org, we are changing the way patients drive research and how researchers can advance the development of treatments. Join us and stay updated by signing up here.

Tissue Donation

Donating tissue samples is the most effective way patients can help researchers make medical breakthroughs and advance the development of new treatments. We coordinate the safe transportation of live tissue, post-surgery, to research projects or our biobank. We also accept stored tissue for eligible research projects.

Visit pattern.org to consent today.

Pattern Biobank

Enabling patients anywhere in the country to store their tissue samples safely and give consent for use in clinical or research studies to help advance treatment development. We also offer custodial biobanking, a fee-based service where patients can store their tumor tissue or blood for future clinical use.

To learn more, contact us at: biobanking@rarecancer.org

Powerful Tools and Resources for Patients

COMING SOON. We’re building additional tools for all rare cancer patients to access more information about their cancer and treatment options including open clinical trials, literature searches, and specialist access.

Pattern Data Commons

Our open-source data commons is being built by the leading experts in data harmonization across cancer centers and research institutions.  It brings together data from across the field of rare cancer research and provides support in analysis of paired clinical and molecular data support. 

To consent to donate your data today, visit pattern.org and select your cancer type to get started.

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Genomic Sequencing

We also connect patients to genomic sequencing services that can help them to understand the genetic changes driving their disease, leading to more targeted treatments and personalized medicine.

News & Updates