Ekaterini Koufalis is fundraising
Give Back for Shawn Initiative
“Honoring Lives, Fighting Sarcoma, Uplifting Communities.”
When you meet someone who is truly unforgettable, their impact doesn’t end when they’re gone—it grows.
That’s exactly how Giveback for Shawn began.
It started as a way to honor my friend, Shawn Saguid—a soul who was full of life, selfless in every way, and always showed up for others no matter what he was going through. Shawn was the kind of person who would travel hours just to help you with a project, check in on you when you were at your lowest, and somehow make everything feel okay again. He was one of a kind—wacky, genuine, and someone you could trust with anything.
I met Shawn in 2010 at Iona College, and from that moment on, he became family. One of my favorite memories is him helping me with a communications project—making sure everything went perfectly, just like he always did for everyone around him.
On July 22, 2017, Shawn lost his battle with Intimal Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer found in the heart and lungs. This form of sarcoma is extremely rare, with only a limited number of documented cases worldwide, and is often not detected until advanced stages.
Sarcoma itself is a rare and often overlooked cancer.
It accounts for only about 1% of adult cancers, making awareness and funding significantly limited
There are over 70 different subtypes of sarcoma
It develops in bones and soft tissues like muscle, fat, blood vessels, and connective tissue
Many cases have no clear cause, making prevention and early detection difficult
Because of its rarity, patients often face delayed diagnosis and limited treatment options
Shawn didn’t just fight for himself—he spent his journey educating those around him, helping people understand what sarcoma is and why awareness matters.
After his passing, we turned grief into purpose.
In December 2017, we raised $1,000 for the Sarcoma Foundation of America.
In 2018, we raised $1,100.
In 2019, we raised over $2,000.
Even when the world paused during COVID-19, our mission continued to grow.
What started as a tribute has now become a movement.
Today, Giveback for Shawn stands for more than one story. It represents a community of fighters, survivors, and loved ones. Our mission has expanded as we now support our friends Alanzo and Godon, who are currently battling sarcoma, while honoring our friend Kelly, who we lost in September 2025.
Through our partnership with Rockview Entertainment, this initiative has evolved into a platform that not only raises awareness and funds for sarcoma research, but also gives back to independent artists—providing them with opportunities, exposure, and resources to grow.
We proudly support and amplify the work of organizations like the Sarcoma Foundation of America, the Sarcoma Alliance, and Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital—all of whom are dedicated to improving outcomes, supporting families, and advancing research for this rare disease.
Sarcoma may be rare—but its impact is not.
Every donation helps:
Fund critical research for better treatments and earlier detection
Support patients and families navigating this difficult journey
Raise awareness so fewer people face delayed diagnosis
Continue Shawn’s legacy through action, not just memory
Donate or learn more here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/give-back-for-shawn
This is bigger than one person.
This is about fighting for those we’ve lost, standing with those still battling, and building something that truly gives back.
Thank you for helping us turn pain into purpose.
— Katie Kay & The Giveback for Shawn Initiative
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78 supporters
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