July is Sarcoma Awareness Month; Shingle Springs Subaru helps with race for a cure
By Stephanie Winn
Local dealership also sponsors sarcoma symposium this fall
(SACRAMENTO)
July is Sarcoma Awareness Month, which brings attention and supports people affected by the disease. Sarcoma is a type of cancer that invades the bone or soft tissue. Although rare, sarcoma makes up about 15% of all childhood cancers.
Since 2021, the El Dorado County dealership has leveraged Subaru’s annual Share the Love Event to raise nearly $400,000 to help with Randall’s research into sarcoma.
“The trophy symbolizes to UC Davis the gratitude we feel toward Shingle Springs Subaru, and what they are doing for sarcoma patients today and tomorrow,” said Randall. He is the chair of the UC Davis Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and holder of the David Linn Endowed Chair in orthopaedic surgery.
Passion for sarcoma research hits home
Finding a cure for sarcoma is close to the heart of the Shingle Springs Subaru team. The dealership’s executive general manager, Bryant McCarver, and his wife, Kirsten, were shocked to learn of their daughter’s sarcoma diagnosis when she was only 15.
Kate McCarver was a sophomore at Oak Ridge High School when a sarcoma was detected close to her scapula (shoulder blade). The El Dorado Hills volleyball player thought she had injured her shoulder, but a scan revealed that a tumor was the source of her sharp pain.
Randall was her surgeon. He carefully removed the cancerous growth and McCarver is now cancer-free.
“I actually went on to play more volleyball in high school,” said Kate. “Now I’m about to graduate from college and decide what career to go into. There are so many possibilities.”
The psychology major is contemplating a future in medical sales or marketing.
Kate McCarver talks to R. Lor Randall about her plans after graduating from college.
Moving from anxious times to making a difference
The McCarver family was immensely grateful for their daughter’s successful surgery and recovery. Bryant and Kirsten committed to working to help find a cure for sarcoma to help save the lives of other young patients.
As part of Subaru America’s national Share the Love Event, the car manufacturer donates $250 for each new Subaru sold during the holiday season. The Shingle Springs Subaru dealership decided to match that and recommended sarcoma research as one of the nonprofit causes for their customers to pick when buying a vehicle.
“We could not be more grateful for the cancer care she received at UC Davis. We were so impressed to find out we could get this type of high caliber care close to home,” Kirsten said. “We want to help as the cancer center continues with leading-edge sarcoma research.”
Shingle Springs Subaru Sarcoma Symposium
In 2024, the McCarvers decided they wanted to do even more to support UC Davis sarcoma researchers. Working with Randall, they founded the Shingle Springs Subaru Sarcoma Symposium.
Randall is one of the nation’s leading sarcoma researchers. He also is collaborating with other sarcoma experts from across the country to advance the fight against the devastating disease that takes more than 5,000 young lives each year. Treatment often results in limb loss.
“Our hope is that this annual event will bring together the brightest minds to find a cure for sarcoma,” McCarver said.
The next Shingle Springs Subaru Sarcoma Symposium will be held on Oct. 7.
If you would like to help with sarcoma research at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, please email Emily McNaughton or go to the giving page.
UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated center serving the Central Valley and inland Northern California, a region of more than 6 million people. Its specialists provide compassionate, comprehensive care for more than 100,000 adults and children every year and access to more than 200 active clinical trials at any given time. Its innovative research program engages more than 240 scientists at UC Davis who work collaboratively to advance discovery of new tools to diagnose and treat cancer. Patients have access to leading-edge care, including immunotherapy and other targeted treatments. Its Office of Community Outreach and Engagement addresses disparities in cancer outcomes across diverse populations, and the cancer center provides comprehensive education and workforce development programs for the next generation of clinicians and scientists. For more information, visit cancer.ucdavis.edu.
