Andrew was an active 12 year old boy when he was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in November 2017. The cancer diagnosis completely stunned, then devastated us. Our only choice in that moment was to do everything in our power to save his life. But we quickly realized that every choice we had to make carried risks and consequences and the burden of each choice was overwhelming.
Treatment choices were few and grueling: chemotherapy and limb salvaging surgery. Our struggle as parents was how to prevent cancer from defining Andrew. If we chose for it to define him, the cancer would have control. Instead, if we chose for it to REFINE him, Andrew would become a better version of himself and ultimately we would all grow into better versions of ourselves. Our Andrew is so much bigger than cancer. So much braver. So much stronger. With the help of our faith, family, friends and community, we have chosen to have it refine us. This cancer will never define who Andrew is.
One way we can make us better versions of ourselves is to help make it better for all those affected by this horrible cancer and encourage others to do the same. It takes too much away from these children but it can’t take away the hope and fight to beat it. After 8 months of treatment we are grateful that Andrew is NED however we are forever aware of the potential this disease has on his future. We are committed to raising much needed money for research to study and improve treatments and outcomes. Every child deserves a future in which cancer, reoccurrence or death is NOT apart of it.
FACTOR brings together the leading researchers, clinicians, surgeons, together with patient families and OsteoWarriors to Make It Better for those battling this disease.
Each year a grant of $100,000 is awarded to a project that will focus on moving research forward for osteosarcoma patients.
Browse our extensive list of osteosarcoma resources from MIB Agents and our partner organizations.
OsteoBites is a weekly webinar and podcast where we invite Osteosarcoma Experts and OsteoWarriors to share their research, hope, and innovation.
Agent GAMERS game with their fellow OsteoWarriors and OsteoSiblings.
Ambassador Agents are certified peer visitors who provide hope, understanding, and resources.
OsteoWarriors receive monthly letters of hope and cheer from MIB Agent Writers around the world.
When an OsteoWarrior transitions to hospice care, MIB Agents provides an experience or an item of comfort and entertainment.
The OsteoWarriors HQ (headquarters) brings kids and young adults who have a connection to osteosarcoma together and It. Is. Awesome!
A world with less toxic, more effective treatments and a cure for osteosarcoma.
We are devoted to creating and instilling hope with and for our inclusive and collaborative osteosarcoma community. We do this through mutual trust, transparency and compassion.
