Amanda Pullinger, CEO of Debbie's Dream Foundation

08/04/2026

📣 Attn: GI/Stomach Cancer Researchers: several new research Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Funding Announcements (PFAs) opened today, and PCORI is hosting virtual applicant town halls for prospective applicants to learn more about these PFAs.

▶️ Attendees will hear from PCORI staff about the PFAs and gain insights on submitting responsive Letters of Intent (LOIs) and applications for high-quality patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research and related projects.

*️⃣ Click here to register for the relevant town hall: https://www.pcori.org/highlight/2026/research-implementation-pfas-cycle-3-2026

Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer

Home PCORI News Hub New Research and Implementation Funding Opportunities: Now Open! Highlight New Research and Implementation Funding Opportunities: Now Open! Letters of Intent are due Sept. 9, 2026, by 5 pm (ET). Aug. 4, 2026 On Aug. 4, 2026, PCORI opened several new Research and Implementation PC...

07/30/2026

*️⃣ So much happened in DC last week, that I'm still catching up with posts! Thanks, as always, to Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer's Policy Consultant, Megan Don, for her support with DC meetings.

▶️ It was wonderful to meet with Randall Rutta, CEO of N@ational Health Council and Spencer Morrissey, MS, Director, PXI Center & Executive Office, National Health Council.

*️⃣ The National Health Council was created by and for patient organizations more than 100 years ago, bringing diverse organizations together to forge consensus and drive patient-centered health policy. Today the National Health Council continues to provide a united voice for the 160 million people living with chronic diseases and disabilities and their family caregivers.

💡 It was very helpful to sit down with Spencer to talk about the important, and growing impact of in the healthcare arena. In November, 2025, the National Health Council announced the launch of PXI: Patient Experience + Innovation Center, a national initiative designed to ensure patients and caregivers play a leading role in shaping the development and use of artificial intelligence and digital health technologies across the health ecosystem. The PXI Center operates under a concierge model, providing tailored services that connect collaborators, including innovators, researchers, nonprofits, and investors, with patients and caregivers based in the United States whose experiences can guide design, implementation, and evaluation of health technologies. This personalized approach ensures every project reflects real-world patient needs and builds trust in emerging tools.

*️⃣ Especially when it comes to vulnerable patients and caregivers, it is critical that patient advocacy groups stay aware of technology trends. It's easy to dismiss AI or to discuss the negatives, but the reality is that AI is here to stay. As CEO of Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer, I want us to lead on this issue - providing patients and caregivers in the stomach cancer/GI cancer space with the tools that enable them to access AI capabilities as effectively and safely as possible. Thanks to Spencer and team for sharing some of the recent AI best practice models. We look forward to partnering with NHC to help the stomach cancer community benefit from the power of AI tools while simultaneously protecting appropriate boundaries around privacy and medical efficacy.

*️⃣ Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer is the leading global connector in the stomach cancer community, driving collaboration among patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers and other partners to accelerate progress, improve outcomes and save lives through Patient Support, Research Advancement, Awareness and Education. For more about us, go to www.debbiesdream.org.

07/29/2026

📣 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: Following last week's meeting in DC with Raymond Puerini, Director of FasterCures at Institute, Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer is pleased to announce that we are now a participating organization of FasterCures’ The Research Acceleration and Innovation Network (TRAIN).

💡 TRAIN stands out as a distinctive consortium of patient-driven nonprofit foundations, committed to funding medical research across a wide array of diseases. These organizations are rapidly emerging as the driving force behind cutting-edge disease research. They embody collaboration, mission-driven focus, strategic resource allocation, and a results-oriented approach, paving the way for transformative advancements in medical research. TRAIN now has over 180 organizations interested in taking a strategic and entrepreneurial approach - what some refer to as “venture philanthropy” – to funding medical research. More here: https://milkeninstitute.org/health/fastercures/engaging-patients-research-and-health/research-acceleration-and-innovation-network-train

*️⃣ Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer is the leading global connector in the stomach cancer community, driving collaboration among patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers and other partners to accelerate progress, improve outcomes and save lives through Patient Support, Research Advancement, Awareness and Education.

▶️ Through TRAIN, we look forward to partnering with other patient organizations across diseases to raise visibility and grow momentum for research by creating transparent opportunities that enable funding opportunities for researchers around the world.

07/24/2026

*️⃣ A sincere thank you to Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, and Rear Admiral Paul Jung, Acting Deputy Surgeon General, for meeting with Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer to continue the conversation on expanding awareness of H. pylori screening across our nation's military.

💡Approximately 60% of stomach cancers in the U.S. are caused by H. pylori, and our military is at increased risk, but many of these cancers could be prevented through increased screening and appropriate treatment. We appreciate your leadership, engagement, and commitment to protecting the health of those who serve, and we look forward to continuing our work together.

⏩️ For those interested in supporting our efforts to get this important health awareness information out to military, veterans and their families, please do get in touch.

07/24/2026

🙏 Thank you, Sen. Mazie Hirono, for meeting with Megan Don and me (representing Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer) this week in DC and for your outstanding leadership in the fight against stomach cancer.

⭐️ You have been a steadfast champion for stomach cancer research, and we are especially grateful for your leadership in advancing Senate FY27 NDAA language supporting H. pylori screening for members of the military. Approximately 60% of stomach cancers in the U.S. are caused by H. pylori and our military is at increased risk. Thank you for helping advance prevention and protect the health of those who serve our country.

⏩️ We look forward to continuing our work together! For those who are interested in helping us to reach out to military and veterans groups around this important health issue, please let me know.

07/22/2026

*️⃣ It was such a privilege to meet David Smilow today in-person in NYC.

⏩️ We had an introductory call a few weeks back to discuss his blog “Gut Check.” David is a writer/actor who got the diagnosis no one wants to hear - “you have stomach cancer.”

💡I’m new to the stomach cancer world but as a breast cancer survivor, I know how important it is to be able to share your journey (for your own sanity and for others who will travel the journey after you.)

*️⃣ I also know that it’s often hard for men to share their cancer experience publicly. Which makes David’s blog even more courageous and important.

⏩️ Looking forward to interviewing David over the summer and sharing his journey with you all.

*️⃣ If you are willing to share your cancer story, let me know.

It takes a village ⭐️

07/20/2026