Sunday, September 23, 2018
Chemical Abstracts Service
2540 Olentangy River Road, Columbus 43202
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...
Sara Richardson Bentley, Sarcoma Survivor
Performed the National Anthem at our 2017 Event
Performed the National Anthem at our 2017 Event
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!
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Maggie Butler
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Lauren Esterline
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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 |
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 |
