14th Annual STEPS FOR SARCOMA
WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!
Thank you to everyone that participated and
fund raised for our research and upcoming
2024 Sarcoma Research Grant Awards.
We have raised $151,587.21 to date in 2023!
Every donation makes a big impact on our work!
You may continue to donate through the end of 2023 to your
favorite team or the general steps for sarcoma fund
www.go.osu.edu/stepsforsarcoma
164 FLEECE TIED BLANKETS
WERE COLLECTED AT THE EVENT!
Thank you to everyone that
donated to our community project
to benefit oncology patients at
The James, Nationwide Children's
Hospital, and The Ohio State
University of Veterinary Medicine
We will deliver them soon to The James Cancer Hospital, Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Ohio State University Veterinary Medicine to give to patients there. Watch for updated photos!
Please email us if you have any questions: stepsforsarcoma@osumc.edu
Sarah, Madison, and Reagan
Rinehart headed up the fleece blanket project at the event in 2022. They delivered 28 Blankets
to The James Cancer Hospital.
James Hospital Volunteers
gave them to Oncology Patients.
2022 was first year we did this community project and donated 90 blankets to the three hospitals.
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Fritz, is an osteosarcoma patient at The OSU Veterinary Medical College, and is enjoying one of our dog blankets. Thank you Drs. Selmic, Burge, Kisseberth, and Bracha for passing out our blankets to your patients! |
OUR MISSION
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We strive to bring patient, family, and community sarcoma awareness and education by raising orthopaedic sarcoma pilot research funds, to promote improved patient outcomes and quality of life.
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survivor stories...
Diane Rausch - Survivor Story 2023
On September 22, I will celebrate being cancer free for 30 years. It has not been an easy journey but I thank God that I am still here. God has given me so many blessings since this journey began.
When I was pregnant with my third daughter, I began to have a lot of pelvic pain and was having a very hard time walking. My doctor said it was because she was a big baby. She was a big baby weighing in at 8lbs 15 ½ oz. While the pain got better it didn’t go away. My doctor ordered a bone scan and told me at my follow up that sometimes women experience symptoms that aren’t really there...it was all in my head. A year later, I fell in a pool and could barely walk. The ER doctor ordered an X-ray and said it was probably a pulled muscle and that I should follow up with my family doctor. I followed up with him and he said the same thing. A year later I was in a terrible accident that totaled my car but left me with only a lot of pain and no injuries. I finally went to a chiropractor 10 months later for my pain and he did full X-rays. I went back that afternoon to get the plan of what he would do to help with my pain. He had no plan for me only a referral to an orthopedic surgeon because of a large tumor on my pelvis. That tumor was circled on the bone scan when it was all in my head and circled again on the X-ray when I probably pulled a muscle. My ortho in Toledo did a biopsy that had to be sent to the Mayo clinic because they couldn’t identify what it was. Several days later I was told I had Chondrosarcoma. I was sent to Columbus to see Dr. Wise. Surgery was scheduled for 2 weeks later. We had to move up my daughter’s sixth birthday party and get things figured out for all 3 of my girls who were then 8, 5 and 3. My doctor in Toledo cleared her schedule and came to Columbus to assist Dr. Wise in my 8 hour surgery to remove part of my pelvis. I learned that day what a 10 was on the pain scale! I spent 10 days at the James and then went home to my family with a metal plate, 10 screws, 85 staples on the outside and who knows how many on the inside and a very uncomfortable brace. I had to learn how to walk all over again. The first time I got out of bed the PT had to push my leg forward with each step. As hard as all of it was, I was thankful to still have my leg because there was a possibility that I could have lost it.
A week after I went home I was back in the hospital with blood clots and was on blood thinners for a while after that. Three months later I had a very large bulge in my abdomen. A scan showed that I had developed a football sized hernia so I had another surgery to repair that. It was difficult because the bone they normally attach mesh to for a hernia was gone. A few months later I was having bladder problems and pain and they found that my bladder had been sewn when they repaired the hernia. Another surgery followed. The hernia repair didn’t really fix the problem so I had another surgery to try to make it better. It didn’t work. Since then my bladder has moved over into that space in my abdomen but surgery may only make it worse. I saw a Dr. who is part of a team at OSU who does difficult abdominal wall surgeries and the first thing he said to me was, “Have you seen your CT?” Fortunately he was honest and said that there was nothing he could do.
In 2011, after many different doctors (12) for pain in my hip that was getting worse, a doctor told me I should go back to Ohio State. Dr. Wise had retired by then so I saw Dr. Scharschmidt. In June of 2012, Dr. Scharschmidt replaced my hip which brought me a lot of relief from the pain. It was a little complicated because of the missing bone and the plate and screws. Unfortunately that relief didn’t last as long as we had hoped. When I leaned over to get something on the floor, we believe I tore scar tissue from my original surgery. I had bruises that followed the scar line from beginning to end. Since then, I still have pain.
After 28 years of teaching it was time for me to retire. All I could think was now what? In August I went to visit my older daughter and when I came home I read the church bulletin that my husband had brought home. There was an ad that Catholic Charities was looking for families to be foster parents for newborns. I always said I wanted to rock babies when I retired. My husband agreed and on Easter of 2013 we brought home our first baby. In 2015 we transferred our license to Lucas County and got a call for a baby the day our license was approved. We were told she would be with us for 2 weeks. That 2 weeks turned into months and on September 19, 2016 she became our daughter forever. We fostered 17 children and the last one became our grandson when our daughter adopted him.
For a while I was really angry with that doctor that told me it was all in my head and that ignored the reports from the radiologists. But I believe God’s hand was in that! How would I have managed to go through all that with a newborn and 2 and 5 year old? It was a slow growing cancer that had probably been there since before I was born. My daughters are now 38, 35, and 33. I have gotten to see them grow up, graduate from college, get married and have children. I was there when 3 of my grandchildren were born. There are 8 of them now and a ninth is on the way!
Cancer is a horrible thing to go through but I look at the things in my life that happened because of it: the people I have met, the children who would have never been in my life and the strong faith I have developed and it makes it all seem not so bad.
On September 22, I will celebrate being cancer free for 30 years. It has not been an easy journey but I thank God that I am still here. God has given me so many blessings since this journey began.
When I was pregnant with my third daughter, I began to have a lot of pelvic pain and was having a very hard time walking. My doctor said it was because she was a big baby. She was a big baby weighing in at 8lbs 15 ½ oz. While the pain got better it didn’t go away. My doctor ordered a bone scan and told me at my follow up that sometimes women experience symptoms that aren’t really there...it was all in my head. A year later, I fell in a pool and could barely walk. The ER doctor ordered an X-ray and said it was probably a pulled muscle and that I should follow up with my family doctor. I followed up with him and he said the same thing. A year later I was in a terrible accident that totaled my car but left me with only a lot of pain and no injuries. I finally went to a chiropractor 10 months later for my pain and he did full X-rays. I went back that afternoon to get the plan of what he would do to help with my pain. He had no plan for me only a referral to an orthopedic surgeon because of a large tumor on my pelvis. That tumor was circled on the bone scan when it was all in my head and circled again on the X-ray when I probably pulled a muscle. My ortho in Toledo did a biopsy that had to be sent to the Mayo clinic because they couldn’t identify what it was. Several days later I was told I had Chondrosarcoma. I was sent to Columbus to see Dr. Wise. Surgery was scheduled for 2 weeks later. We had to move up my daughter’s sixth birthday party and get things figured out for all 3 of my girls who were then 8, 5 and 3. My doctor in Toledo cleared her schedule and came to Columbus to assist Dr. Wise in my 8 hour surgery to remove part of my pelvis. I learned that day what a 10 was on the pain scale! I spent 10 days at the James and then went home to my family with a metal plate, 10 screws, 85 staples on the outside and who knows how many on the inside and a very uncomfortable brace. I had to learn how to walk all over again. The first time I got out of bed the PT had to push my leg forward with each step. As hard as all of it was, I was thankful to still have my leg because there was a possibility that I could have lost it.
A week after I went home I was back in the hospital with blood clots and was on blood thinners for a while after that. Three months later I had a very large bulge in my abdomen. A scan showed that I had developed a football sized hernia so I had another surgery to repair that. It was difficult because the bone they normally attach mesh to for a hernia was gone. A few months later I was having bladder problems and pain and they found that my bladder had been sewn when they repaired the hernia. Another surgery followed. The hernia repair didn’t really fix the problem so I had another surgery to try to make it better. It didn’t work. Since then my bladder has moved over into that space in my abdomen but surgery may only make it worse. I saw a Dr. who is part of a team at OSU who does difficult abdominal wall surgeries and the first thing he said to me was, “Have you seen your CT?” Fortunately he was honest and said that there was nothing he could do.
In 2011, after many different doctors (12) for pain in my hip that was getting worse, a doctor told me I should go back to Ohio State. Dr. Wise had retired by then so I saw Dr. Scharschmidt. In June of 2012, Dr. Scharschmidt replaced my hip which brought me a lot of relief from the pain. It was a little complicated because of the missing bone and the plate and screws. Unfortunately that relief didn’t last as long as we had hoped. When I leaned over to get something on the floor, we believe I tore scar tissue from my original surgery. I had bruises that followed the scar line from beginning to end. Since then, I still have pain.
After 28 years of teaching it was time for me to retire. All I could think was now what? In August I went to visit my older daughter and when I came home I read the church bulletin that my husband had brought home. There was an ad that Catholic Charities was looking for families to be foster parents for newborns. I always said I wanted to rock babies when I retired. My husband agreed and on Easter of 2013 we brought home our first baby. In 2015 we transferred our license to Lucas County and got a call for a baby the day our license was approved. We were told she would be with us for 2 weeks. That 2 weeks turned into months and on September 19, 2016 she became our daughter forever. We fostered 17 children and the last one became our grandson when our daughter adopted him.
For a while I was really angry with that doctor that told me it was all in my head and that ignored the reports from the radiologists. But I believe God’s hand was in that! How would I have managed to go through all that with a newborn and 2 and 5 year old? It was a slow growing cancer that had probably been there since before I was born. My daughters are now 38, 35, and 33. I have gotten to see them grow up, graduate from college, get married and have children. I was there when 3 of my grandchildren were born. There are 8 of them now and a ninth is on the way!
Cancer is a horrible thing to go through but I look at the things in my life that happened because of it: the people I have met, the children who would have never been in my life and the strong faith I have developed and it makes it all seem not so bad.
Bob Cooper - Survivor Story 2022
My journey began in 2015. I was 58 years old and a plumber for a local school district and noticed a lump on the back of my upper thigh. So, I made an appointment with my family physician. My physician was not available, so I saw a partner in the practice. He believed the lump was fatty tissue and I went on my way. A couple of months later, I returned to my family physician as the lump had grown. He sent me to Riverside Methodist Hospital for a biopsy. Then, on April 15, 2015, came the phone call. "You have cancer and we are sending you to The James."
Wow! How do you digest that? Well, I called my wife, Terry, told her the news and told her I was leaving work and going to Whetstone Park. She met me at the park where we sat at a picnic table in silence for a while.
April 29, 2015 was a marathon of appointments meeting my amazing oncology team (Dr. Scharschmidt, Dr. Leibner, and Dr. Haglund). I was initially diagnosed with high grade myxofibrosarcoma and later, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. And so it began, radiation, chemo, surgery (tumor resection), post-operative infection, a drain tube that we named Wally and a couple of months later a pressure wound vac that we affectionately named Wendell.
I finally returned to work in February 2016 and during my checkup in March, 2016, a second tumor was discovered, same area, same leg. Here we go again. Another resection in April, 2016 and yes another pressure wound vac. This time we stick with names beginning with W, but we go for a girl's name, Winnie aka Winnie Cooper a character on the TV show, The Wonder Years.
By the time of the Steps for Sarcoma walk in September, 2016, I suspected another tumor. My third tumor was confirmed. Dr. Scharschmidt walked into the exam room and said, "Well crap." I replied, "Yeah, I'm just like the city of Columbus...I have a few potholes." So another resection was done. Maybe we should have considered putting in a zipper.
Since then, I have been diagnosed with more sarcomas, eleven in all since 2015 (nine in my right upper thigh and as of early 2022, two in my right lung. I've had more resections, reconstructive surgery on my leg (July 2018), right leg above knee amputation (May 2021), a wedge resection of my right lung (March 2022), acquired a prosthetic leg (July 2021) which our grandchildren (ages 6 and 5) refer to as my "fake leg" or "bi-botic leg." I am currently in active chemotherapy for the fifth time, I've also done a round of immunotherapy, and had countless MRIs and CTs. After each episode, I've been able to return to my job as a plumber for the school district. Through it all, I've kept my sense of humor (naming the drain tubes and wound vacs, haven't given the "fake leg" a name yet) and a positive attitude. I tell people, "I'm STILL walking and talking!" I hope that research from my journey will help someone else fight this relentless cancer.
We (my wife and I and our family and friends) are so thankful for The James (our second home) and our awesome oncology and plastic surgery, and thoracic surgery teams (our second family) for the care and support we receive. We are in this together!
Bob Cooper, 7 year, 11 tumor survivor
Wow! How do you digest that? Well, I called my wife, Terry, told her the news and told her I was leaving work and going to Whetstone Park. She met me at the park where we sat at a picnic table in silence for a while.
April 29, 2015 was a marathon of appointments meeting my amazing oncology team (Dr. Scharschmidt, Dr. Leibner, and Dr. Haglund). I was initially diagnosed with high grade myxofibrosarcoma and later, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. And so it began, radiation, chemo, surgery (tumor resection), post-operative infection, a drain tube that we named Wally and a couple of months later a pressure wound vac that we affectionately named Wendell.
I finally returned to work in February 2016 and during my checkup in March, 2016, a second tumor was discovered, same area, same leg. Here we go again. Another resection in April, 2016 and yes another pressure wound vac. This time we stick with names beginning with W, but we go for a girl's name, Winnie aka Winnie Cooper a character on the TV show, The Wonder Years.
By the time of the Steps for Sarcoma walk in September, 2016, I suspected another tumor. My third tumor was confirmed. Dr. Scharschmidt walked into the exam room and said, "Well crap." I replied, "Yeah, I'm just like the city of Columbus...I have a few potholes." So another resection was done. Maybe we should have considered putting in a zipper.
Since then, I have been diagnosed with more sarcomas, eleven in all since 2015 (nine in my right upper thigh and as of early 2022, two in my right lung. I've had more resections, reconstructive surgery on my leg (July 2018), right leg above knee amputation (May 2021), a wedge resection of my right lung (March 2022), acquired a prosthetic leg (July 2021) which our grandchildren (ages 6 and 5) refer to as my "fake leg" or "bi-botic leg." I am currently in active chemotherapy for the fifth time, I've also done a round of immunotherapy, and had countless MRIs and CTs. After each episode, I've been able to return to my job as a plumber for the school district. Through it all, I've kept my sense of humor (naming the drain tubes and wound vacs, haven't given the "fake leg" a name yet) and a positive attitude. I tell people, "I'm STILL walking and talking!" I hope that research from my journey will help someone else fight this relentless cancer.
We (my wife and I and our family and friends) are so thankful for The James (our second home) and our awesome oncology and plastic surgery, and thoracic surgery teams (our second family) for the care and support we receive. We are in this together!
Bob Cooper, 7 year, 11 tumor survivor
Gabe Gemberling - Survivor Story 2019
I am a 22-year-old student-athlete at The Ohio State University with an infectious smile and an incredibly rare connection with Brutus Buckeye. On May 17th, 2018- I visited my team sports doctor with concerns of my shoulder not functioning properly. After a few short hours after having my shoulder examined, an x-ray confirmed a large tumor growing off my humerus. From that second on, osteosarcoma became my life and every fiber of my body committed itself to beating it. In the proceeding months, the wonderful Dr. Scharschmidt and Dr. Plummer performed two surgeries, one being removal and resection of my tumor and one heck of an allograft.
During my fight with cancer, I carried on hoping to exemplify the beautiful life we are all gifted with. Even in the darkest times of my life, I did everything humanly possible to find the light in every situation I was given. After my diagnosis, I remember internalizing and thanking God for allowing me to fight this battle so that someone else wouldn’t have to endure that pain. Even today, I have never asked myself, “Why did all of this happen to me?” I may had been frustrated but I never railed against fate. Today, I am blessed with immense motivation to find a cure. With the help of my family and friends, together we fundraised $3,330 for the Steps for Sarcoma Foundation. The momentum does not end there. Now, I prepare to begin fundraising for Pelotonia and the many other incredible events hosted by The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.
Today, I passion myself on positively influencing every survivor, fighter, and family effected by cancer. Whether it is as simple as hand that needs held or identifying the fight someone has in them. I want to make a difference. I am blessed beyond belief to be cancer free today and it is all help to the wonderful people that make Steps for Sarcoma happen. So, thank you all for coming together for the common cause of finding a cure!
During my fight with cancer, I carried on hoping to exemplify the beautiful life we are all gifted with. Even in the darkest times of my life, I did everything humanly possible to find the light in every situation I was given. After my diagnosis, I remember internalizing and thanking God for allowing me to fight this battle so that someone else wouldn’t have to endure that pain. Even today, I have never asked myself, “Why did all of this happen to me?” I may had been frustrated but I never railed against fate. Today, I am blessed with immense motivation to find a cure. With the help of my family and friends, together we fundraised $3,330 for the Steps for Sarcoma Foundation. The momentum does not end there. Now, I prepare to begin fundraising for Pelotonia and the many other incredible events hosted by The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.
Today, I passion myself on positively influencing every survivor, fighter, and family effected by cancer. Whether it is as simple as hand that needs held or identifying the fight someone has in them. I want to make a difference. I am blessed beyond belief to be cancer free today and it is all help to the wonderful people that make Steps for Sarcoma happen. So, thank you all for coming together for the common cause of finding a cure!
Sara Richardson Bentley, Sarcoma Survivor
Performed the National Anthem at our 2017 Event
Survivor Story 2018
Performed the National Anthem at our 2017 Event
Survivor Story 2018
I am a 26-year-old osteosarcoma survivor. I was diagnosed at the age of 10 when an x-ray revealed a tumor in my femur. I underwent months of chemotherapy and a reconstructive surgery at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Over the next three years, I experienced additional relapses, received more chemotherapy, and eventually required a hip disarticulation amputation. Despite overwhelming odds, I have been cancer-free for the past 12 years.
During my battle with cancer, I turned to music to cope with my illness and express my spiritual and emotional journey. I listened to music as a relief from phantom pain and wrote songs about my cancer experience. I pursued a degree in music therapy at Ohio University, and I am now a board-certified music therapist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital where I practice music-based treatments for patients’ physical and psychosocial health. Had it not been for my cancer experience, I likely would not have pursued such a rewarding and impactful career.
Osteosarcoma is a rare form of cancer occurring in approximately 2% of childhood cancers and even fewer of adulthood cancers (American Cancer Society, 2018a, ACS). People diagnosed with localized osteosarcoma face a 60% to 80% survival rate, with metastatic osteosarcoma decreasing these odds to less than 40% (ACS, 2018c). Survivors of sarcoma experience a host of long-term, life-altering effects; from physical complications such as limb loss, impaired hearing, heart damage, or infertility; to cognitive and psychological effects, such memory loss and mental health issues (ACS, 2018b). It is high time for more promising care for our sarcoma warriors!
‘Steps for Sarcoma’ is a powerful organization in the quest of finding a cure for sarcomas. It funds a number of research studies that seek to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for our sarcoma warriors. This annual fundraiser gives me hope that a brighter future lies ahead for people diagnosed with sarcoma. Please consider donating generously to this worthy organization!
During my battle with cancer, I turned to music to cope with my illness and express my spiritual and emotional journey. I listened to music as a relief from phantom pain and wrote songs about my cancer experience. I pursued a degree in music therapy at Ohio University, and I am now a board-certified music therapist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital where I practice music-based treatments for patients’ physical and psychosocial health. Had it not been for my cancer experience, I likely would not have pursued such a rewarding and impactful career.
Osteosarcoma is a rare form of cancer occurring in approximately 2% of childhood cancers and even fewer of adulthood cancers (American Cancer Society, 2018a, ACS). People diagnosed with localized osteosarcoma face a 60% to 80% survival rate, with metastatic osteosarcoma decreasing these odds to less than 40% (ACS, 2018c). Survivors of sarcoma experience a host of long-term, life-altering effects; from physical complications such as limb loss, impaired hearing, heart damage, or infertility; to cognitive and psychological effects, such memory loss and mental health issues (ACS, 2018b). It is high time for more promising care for our sarcoma warriors!
‘Steps for Sarcoma’ is a powerful organization in the quest of finding a cure for sarcomas. It funds a number of research studies that seek to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for our sarcoma warriors. This annual fundraiser gives me hope that a brighter future lies ahead for people diagnosed with sarcoma. Please consider donating generously to this worthy organization!
Lauren Esterline
Survivor Story 2017
Survivor Story 2017
On November 22, 2015, my oldest daughter, Lauren, broke her femur. At the time she was 9 years old. The first hospital we went to suspected it broke due to osteosarcoma. She was taken to Nationwide Children’s Hospital and it was confirmed. My child had cancer. I felt as though our world was falling apart, but I took comfort in knowing that she was being treated at Children’s. I used to work there and knew she was going to receive excellent care.
Lauren had 7 months of aggressive chemotherapy and a total femur replacement using a Stanmore JTS Extendible Implant – a limb-sparing surgery. A wonderful team of surgeons, led by Dr. Scharschmidt, performed the surgery in February 2016. It’s been a long recovery, but it was definitely worth it. She is still in physical therapy twice a week and is continuously improving.
I would never wish this on anyone, especially a child. Throughout this journey, however, we have learned so much and we have much to be grateful for. Our friends, family, community, and medical team have rallied around Lauren and our family, which has given us strength. We have a new perspective on life and we no longer take our time together for granted.
This year Lauren will be starting the 5th grade. She is an honor roll student and one day aspires to become a teacher.
We know how important it is to fund new and current research projects. A big ‘THANK YOU’ to everyone who donates to make the Steps for Sarcoma event a success!
Jocelyn Esterline, Mother of Lauren Esterline
Lauren had 7 months of aggressive chemotherapy and a total femur replacement using a Stanmore JTS Extendible Implant – a limb-sparing surgery. A wonderful team of surgeons, led by Dr. Scharschmidt, performed the surgery in February 2016. It’s been a long recovery, but it was definitely worth it. She is still in physical therapy twice a week and is continuously improving.
I would never wish this on anyone, especially a child. Throughout this journey, however, we have learned so much and we have much to be grateful for. Our friends, family, community, and medical team have rallied around Lauren and our family, which has given us strength. We have a new perspective on life and we no longer take our time together for granted.
This year Lauren will be starting the 5th grade. She is an honor roll student and one day aspires to become a teacher.
We know how important it is to fund new and current research projects. A big ‘THANK YOU’ to everyone who donates to make the Steps for Sarcoma event a success!
Jocelyn Esterline, Mother of Lauren Esterline
Maggie Butler - Survivor Story 2017
I am a 33 year old, married mom of two amazing kiddos. Two years ago I was diagnosed with cancer of an unknown origin. In January 2015, the wonderful doctors and pathologists at The New James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute figured out that I had a very rare soft tissue sarcoma called Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor, an aggressive cancer that usually occurs in multiple masses in the abdomen and affects the lymph nodes and lining of the pelvis and abdomen. With very few adults and children that are diagnosed with this every year, it is not a cancer that is well known and the amount of information and medical research is extremely limited.
Since my diagnosis, I have had 4 major surgeries, 12 cycles of high powered inpatient VAC/IE chemotherapy, used an oral immunotherapy, radiation therapy and had additional maintenance chemotherapy. Needless to say, for the past two years, it has been a long road.
My goal has been to bring Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor into the spotlight and make everyone who will listen aware of this ugly disease. Our event team is called Maggie's Madhatters (and many of us wear crazy hats to the event!) and we have been the largest team to attend the event for the past two years and have fundraised for more than $7,500 in two years!
Today I can actually breathe and put a smile on my face. Knowing what this sarcoma is capable of doing to people, I am just happy to be able to say that my scans are clear, as there are many people who cannot say this right now in their fight. I know how fortunate I am right now and know that this may not always be the news in the future, but as of today, I can breathe, be happy, and live in all the wonderful moments that currently surround me. Today is a good day!!
Maggie Butler, Sarcoma Survivor
Since my diagnosis, I have had 4 major surgeries, 12 cycles of high powered inpatient VAC/IE chemotherapy, used an oral immunotherapy, radiation therapy and had additional maintenance chemotherapy. Needless to say, for the past two years, it has been a long road.
My goal has been to bring Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor into the spotlight and make everyone who will listen aware of this ugly disease. Our event team is called Maggie's Madhatters (and many of us wear crazy hats to the event!) and we have been the largest team to attend the event for the past two years and have fundraised for more than $7,500 in two years!
Today I can actually breathe and put a smile on my face. Knowing what this sarcoma is capable of doing to people, I am just happy to be able to say that my scans are clear, as there are many people who cannot say this right now in their fight. I know how fortunate I am right now and know that this may not always be the news in the future, but as of today, I can breathe, be happy, and live in all the wonderful moments that currently surround me. Today is a good day!!
Maggie Butler, Sarcoma Survivor
