Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada is Canada’s national organization dedicated to providing patient support and education while working with Canada’s leading researchers to eradicate the disease.
For support or information, please contact jessica@sarcomacancer.ca or call us toll free at 1- 800-487-1364
Sarcoma cancer attacks the connective tissue within the body, causing tumours within muscle, bones, nerves, fat and blood vessels. It occurs in both children and adults.
People around the world know the story of Canadian icon Terry Fox, who ran across Canada to raise money for cancer research. Fewer know, however, that the disease which claimed Fox’s leg -- and later, after his heroic efforts, his life -- was osteosarcoma, a form of sarcoma cancer of the bones. Even more importantly, since Fox lost his battle with cancer in 1981, much progress has been made in treating and curing this insidious disease.
The SCFC was founded in 2010 in memory of Vera Arajs and other Canadians who have lost their lives to Sarcoma cancers. We are a volunteer-run national organization supporting patients and their families, while working with Canada's leading research institutions in their efforts to eradicate Sarcoma cancers.
It is our mission to connect patients and their families with the best medical information and community resources, to ease the process of dealing with a sarcoma cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Diana is an experienced leader with expertise in strategic planning, branding, media and government relations, crisis management, media training, and broadcast production. Prior to founding Poise Communications, a full-service communications firm where she is currently President, Diana led teams at two global public relations firms after working as a Press Secretary and Communications Advisor to Ontario’s Premier, Minister of Environment and Minister of Energy. Diana began her career in communications as a radio and television producer in Toronto. She is an experienced public speaker and has led many strategic exercises and designed campaigns for organizations across Canada.
Passionate about fundraising, advancing advocacy and community building, Diana has been an active volunteer in the Toronto arts community for over two decades. She has chaired and sat as a Director of boards, committees and fundraising campaigns for various institutions and causes including the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Stratford Festival, the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, Canadian Stage, the Ontario Science Centre, and The Redwood, a shelter for women and children. In 2010, Diana founded the Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada, where she currently serves as Chair.
Eric Arajs graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor's of Mathematics specializing in Combinatronics and Optimization in 2008. He has worked in progressively senior finance roles for TD and RBC for the last 9 years. In 2016, he was lead on the re-entry policy after the wildfire in Fort McMurray, Alberta. He is currently a branch manager in Newmarket, where he lives with his partner and stepson.
Ethan Pigott is an independent communications consultant with more than 10 years of experience in various health sectors. Currently, Ethan collaborates with his clients in a number of functions, including: media strategy, media relations, strategic planning, writing and stakeholder relations. Prior to embarking on his own consultancy, Ethan worked in the health practices at several global communications agencies.
Until recently, Jasmine worked in the Office of the Prime Minister, where she served in a number of senior roles including Senior Policy Advisor for Economic Affairs, Environment and Energy Security, Director of Issues Management and Director of Priorities and Planning. Before working for the Prime Minister she was the Senior Policy Advisor for two Federal Environment Ministers. Prior to moving to Ottawa Jasmine worked at Queen’s Park in policy advisor and issues management roles for several Ontario Cabinet Ministers.
Jasmine has over 13 years of experience in public policy development and has spent a majority of her time in government focusing on environment and energy related issues. Her experience also includes many roles in both federal and provincial election campaigns.
Sahand Sojoodi is a technology entrepreneur with a multitude of experiences founding and leading software product teams. At Integral Consulting, Sahand leads the architecture and delivery of complex and creative cloud software solutions. Sahand brings extensive experience within the financial services, fintech, manufacturing, telecommunications, consumer technology, and semiconductor industries.
Previously, Sahand founded and led enterprise software engineering teams at TD Securities and EQ Bank. Prior to that, he co-founded and ran Gopher Leads - a mobile SaaS CRM. Sahand was also the co-founder and Managing Director of Extreme Innovations, a Toronto-based venture studio specializing in creating tech startups.
Sahand is an INSEAD MBA and a University of Waterloo Computer Engineer. He has a passion for building technology companies and teams.
Mark J. Stewart graduated with a LL.B from City University London (UK) and holds an M.A. in History from the University of Ottawa and a B.A. from the University of Guelph. Before pursuing legal studies, Mark was a Communications Officer with a major Canadian bank in Toronto and a parliamentary aide to two elected officials in Ottawa. He is currently employed as a Research Associate in a Toronto law office while working to qualify as a lawyer.
An osteosarcoma survivor, Mark is passionate about cancer-activism and has been an invited speaker and media spokesperson for the Terry Fox Foundation. Currently he is an organizational volunteer with the Paediatric Oncology Group of Ontario and was recently invited to Chair a newly formed organization that will focus on assisting adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. In his spare time Mark enjoys reading, personal fitness and maintaining a blog.
Fiona is a secondary school teacher with 30 years experience in the classroom. Her career long passion has been equity and diversity in the classroom, where students can see and hear themselves, as well as other valuable voices. Fiona was diagnosed with an ultra rare vascular sarcoma called Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma in November of 2017. In the few brief months following her diagnosis Fiona came to understand that equity and social justice also have an application in cancer research, treatment and funding. After starting EHE research in Canada for the first time she was invited to take a board position at SCFC. Fiona holds degrees in English, Drama, and (intermediate/senior) Education from Queen's University (Kingston). She also volunteers with The Festival of Literary Diversity (the FOLD) and is a founding member of The Authors Book Club. A life long dog lover with two canine companions, she also shares her home with 4 other humans: a husband and three children.
Ryan Wagner is the Director of Business Applications at TURBINE-X, with a diverse background encompassing executive roles in commercial finance, strategy, operations, technology, and entrepreneurship. Equipped with a Bachelor of Management degree and a Project Management Professional Designation, he's currently pursuing his Executive MBA, expected to be completed in September 2024. Ryan enjoys providing management consulting and business coaching services, leveraging his extensive experience and expertise to guide individuals, businesses, and nonprofits towards success.
Despite battling myxoid/round cell liposarcoma, Ryan remains resilient, embodying strength and determination in his journey. He finds solace and purpose in his involvement with Hope City Church in Edmonton, where he contributes to the community and nurtures his spiritual growth. Passionate about empowering others to realize their full potential, Ryan also dedicates himself to fundraising for sarcoma research through the Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada. His commitment to making a difference drives him to advocate for advancements in cancer research.
