The GIST Foundation of Saint Louis was founded for the following purposes:

• To help patients, their caretakers and medical professionals better understand GIST and how to manage the disease most effectively.
• Sponsor local seminars where GIST patients and their caretakers meet and interact amongst each other and local GIST oncology experts to gain the latest information on disease management, clinical trials and ongoing research.
• Organize GIST social gatherings so local GIST patients and their caretakers can find friendship, fellowship and folly.