Dylan, the youngest of three brothers, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his left humerus in January 2016, when he was nine years old. Since then, he battled through four recurrences until his disease advanced aggressively beyond possible treatment options. During his 5+ years battling this disease, Dylan demonstrated incredible strength, courage, and optimism. He never stopped fighting and never gave up hope. He lived by his credo “I will always be strong enough to pick myself up no matter what,” and inspired others with his resilience, joyful spark, and grace. Besides his family and his dog Buster, Dylan’s loves and passions included Legos, superheroes, (especially the Marvel Universe, Ironman, and the Flash), cooking, gaming with his friends, and watching his favorite show The Office, among others.
MIB Agents has been an incredible resource for Dylan and our family. In addition to providing helpful patient programs and funding important osteosarcoma research, MIB Agents has created a passionate and active osteosarcoma community that connects patients, families, clinicians, and researchers to fuel and advance collaborative learning and osteosarcoma research. Not only has it provided an invaluable support system by connecting us with other families and patients, but it has given us access to a network of osteosarcoma experts that have been invaluable resources during Dylan’s battle. Support of MIB translates to meaningful support for families, offering hope for better treatment options and a cure.
We have launched Dylan's Brick Shop to help improve treatment options and outcomes for osteosarcoma warriors by sharing Dylan's joyful passion for LEGO®. You can buy a LEGO®, donate LEGO®, or simply donate to the Dylan Toma Osteosarcoma Research Fund to help make it better for OsteoWarriors. http://dylansbrickshop.com/
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.
