Rare As One Partner

Rare Cancer Research Foundation, Pattern.org

Pattern.org is part of the Rare Cancer Research Foundation (RCRF), a nonprofit dedicated to curing rare cancers. Pattern.org helps accelerate progress against cancer by helping patients donate their extra tumor tissue to cancer researchers. The organization does this by pairing patients with research projects and working with their doctors to transfer tissue donations to research labs.

By contributing tumor tissue through surgery, biopsy, or fluid drain, patients make it possible for researchers to develop a working copy of their cancer type that will continually grow in a laboratory. This model copy allows researchers to test treatment ideas and make faster progress on critical rare cancer research. 

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative supports Pattern.org’s innovative, technology-driven efforts to engage patients directly in rare cancer research and connect more cancer patients with more research projects.