The Penelope Abellera Osteosarcoma Fund

On October 2, 2022, Penelope texted her mom to say the top of her knee hurt when she bent it. As Penelope was so active and athletic, her family initially thought it was a sports injury. By early November, the pain was severe enough to warrant a visit to an orthopedist. A November 14th x-ray revealed a shadow that led to an MRI on November 22. Within hours of the MRI, the orthopedist called to inform Penelope that he had already scheduled an appointment for her at Emory Winship Cancer Center.

Penelope had just been accepted into Georgia Tech’s Sciences Po study abroad program for Spring 2023 and was making plans for housing and travel when, on December 16, 2022, biopsy results confirmed she had high-grade osteosarcoma in her left distal femur. Scans showed the cancer hadn’t spread, and her doctors were optimistic, citing a 70% survival rate.

In January 2023, Penelope abandoned her study abroad plans and began a six-month regimen of chemotherapy. She lost her hair, was confined to crutches, and endured severe nausea and pain. On June 13, 2023, she underwent limb salvage surgery to remove the tumor, replacing her knee and part of her femur with an internal prosthesis. Her margins were clear, but her tumor was only 60% necrotic. A lung scan eight days later revealed two very small nodules.

In September, Penelope underwent surgery to remove the nodules. Although hopeful she had beaten cancer, she learned in November that she had innumerable new large and small masses in her lungs. Over the next year, the cancer spread to her ribs, sternum, pelvis, cranium, and spine. She underwent numerous treatments, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and radiation. Through it all, Penelope continued to live fully—traveling to the Philippines, Japan, Costa Rica, France, London, and Copenhagen.

Despite her determination, Penelope passed away on November 25, 2024, at 22 years old. She graduated posthumously with highest honors from Georgia Tech on December 13, 2024, with a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs and Modern Languages and a minor in Sustainable City Planning.

Penelope was beautiful inside and out—a kind, empathetic, quick-witted, and adventurous soul. Many people throughout her life used the phrase “wise beyond her years” to describe Penelope, with her earliest teachers affectionately noting she was “two going on forty.” A gifted student, she excelled in academics and leadership roles at Georgia Tech, where she found her home away from home. She was a varsity cheerleader, a campus tour guide, an intern at The Carter Center, and held leadership roles in her sorority. Penelope cared deeply about fighting injustice and protecting the environment.

She was also a devoted friend, a voracious reader, and a source of inspiration and strength to all who knew her. Penelope’s memory lives on in her love of life, laughter, and determination to make the world a better place.

This family fund, established in her honor, supports osteosarcoma research. Penelope’s journey was marked by the challenges of failed treatments, devastating side effects, insurance delays, and tremendous physical pain and mental anguish. We hope this fund will help improve treatments, raise awareness, and alleviate the immense suffering caused by osteosarcoma. Thank you for helping us honor Penelope’s legacy through research and advocacy.

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