International Gastric Cancer Symposium Launches in Tokyo

On November 15, 2025, the International Gastric Cancer Educational Symposium will take place in Tokyo, bringing together global leaders in research, advocacy, and patient care for gastric cancer. Organized by Debbie’s Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer (DDF) in partnership with the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research and Kibounokai, the event aims to enhance collaboration and education around this pressing health issue.

The symposium will be held at the Yoshida Memorial Auditorium within the Cancer Institute of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. JST. Participants will include prominent experts, cancer survivors, and advocates from across Asia and beyond, all focused on improving knowledge and support systems for those affected by gastric cancer.

Expert Insights and Patient-Centric Sessions

Attendees can expect a diverse range of activities, including patient-centered sessions, expert lectures, and discussions centered on advocacy. These will be designed to facilitate knowledge sharing and foster collaborative efforts among stakeholders. To ensure inclusivity, multilingual interpretation services will be available.

Dr. Takeshi Sano, Hospital Director of the Cancer Institute, serves as the Symposium Chair. He highlighted the importance of the event, stating, “Gastric cancer remains one of the world’s most pressing health challenges, particularly in Asia, where prevalence is high. This symposium is an opportunity to bring together patients, advocates, and physicians to learn from each other, share innovations, and build momentum for global collaboration.”

Dr. Han-Kwang Yang, President of the National Cancer Center in Korea and a member of DDF’s Scientific and Medical Advisory Board, echoed this sentiment. He noted, “Japan has long been a leader in gastric cancer research and care, but we know that progress is accelerated when patients, doctors, and advocates share knowledge across borders. Hosting this symposium in Tokyo provides a vital platform to elevate patient voices, highlight new research, and strengthen international collaboration in the fight against this disease.”

Support from Leading Organizations

The symposium is supported by several prominent sponsors, including Amgen, AstraZeneca, and Bristol Myers Squibb. Additional backing comes from Kibounoukai sponsors such as Boehringer Ingelheim, Daiichi-Sankyo, Pfizer, Roche, MSD, and Chugai.

For those interested in participating, more information and registration details can be found at www.DebbiesDream.org/upcoming-events.

About Debbie’s Dream Foundation

Founded in 2009 by Debbie Zelman, who was diagnosed with stage IV gastric cancer, DDF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness, advancing research funding, and providing education and support to patients, families, and caregivers. After receiving a terminal diagnosis with only weeks to live, Debbie became a pioneering advocate for gastric cancer awareness. She passed away on December 23, 2017, at age 50, nearly a decade after her diagnosis. DDF continues her mission, striving to make a cure for stomach cancer a reality.

To learn more about DDF’s initiatives, visit www.DebbiesDream.org.

For media inquiries, please contact Brittnay Starks, Communications Director, at (954) 475-1200 or [email protected].