We are so thankful to all of the organizations that have supported me throughout my journey. This month, I am fundraising for the Little Warrior Foundation who helps to fund research for Ewing’s Sarcoma. This organization is raising money for research and clinical trails that can DIRECTLY impact me. There are no approved treatments for relapsed Ewing’s Sarcoma. The Little Warrior foundation has also contributed donations towards a promising “Ewing’s Vaccine” trail being conducted at the Cleveland Clinic. This is an exciting trail that I hope I may be able to participate in.
Unfortunately, the National Cancer Institute does not give a substantial amount of money towards childhood cancer research. And even less is given to rare childhood cancers, like Ewing’s Sarcoma. Children and young adults like me end up resorting to fundraising methods like this so that we can raise money for new, promising treatments.
Despite all of my setbacks, I continue to remain positive and face the next steps of my battle. I hope you are willing to help in my fight.
My Cancer Story:
My name is Katie. I was originally diagnosed when I was 17, with Ewing’s Sarcoma, during Christmas of 2018. Ewing’s Sarcoma is a rare pediatric bone cancer. My tumor was extremely painful and located on my tailbone. I went through one year of treatment, which included lots of chemotherapy, several surgeries, numerous infections, many blood transfusions, battling sepsis, and countless side effects. After battling for one year, I was finally cancer free at the end of 2019.
After being one year cancer free and finishing one year of college, I discovered a swollen lymph node on my groin. I had it biopsied, and almost two years to the day I was originally diagnosed, we found out that I had to fight Ewing’s again. This was Christmas of 2020, when I was 19 years old.
Additionally to the tumor on my groin, we discovered that the cancer had spread to my lung. This time, I received more chemotherapy, surgeries, blood transfusions, terrible side effects, and radiation. I was finally declared cancer free again in July of 2022. This was extremely short lived when 2 months later, we just discovered a new tumor deep in my pelvis and new spots on my lungs. I am now 21 years old and beginning treatment again.
It’s been an extremely difficult 4 years and I wish I could say that I knew what the future holds for me.
To date, I have received:
45 does of radiation, 30 cycles of chemo( 247 doses), 44 units of blood, 14 surgeries, and spent countless days in the hospital in Reno, NV and in Stanford, CA.