Taily's Osteosarcoma Fund

Taily was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at 11 years old. She went through Chemotherapy for 11 months and had an invasive arm surgery to replace the humerus in her right arm with titanium. After completing treatment, she began the journey of healing and living life with a disability. Although, it was not a disability because her life was as normal as it could be through those tough teenage years. She started middle school as she was recovering from the rough effects of chemotherapy but had no issues making friends or participating in sports. In high school, she joined track and even tried throwing the javelin. She became the family chauffer when she obtained her drivers license and enjoyed taking drives alone blasting her music.  She loved the color teal, crystals, gems and was very much into art and taking selfies. 

She was just beginning to experience her independence when she was re-diagnosed with Osteosarcoma after 6 years of healthy scans. Our hearts were shattered because we knew it would be difficult. We made the mistake of “googling” this awful disease years ago and know that survival rates for this cancer are low and treatment options limited as well as how aggressive it can be when it comes back. Knowing that was never going to stop us. We made sure she was in the correct hands and pursued treatment at her direction and sought out multiple second opinions.

Taily started treatment in October 2020 and lost her battle on January 9, 2022. She endured so much in her short 18 years of life, but never once gave up. She had several procedures, surgeries, endless nights in the hospital, clinic and infusion visits and lived firsthand the effects of this awful diagnosis. She lost the ability to walk, care for her herself and endured much emotional and physical pain. 

Taily was sweet, kind, funny and forgiving, but what stands out is how feisty, courageous, strong-willed and persistent she was. She was the one person to challenge you each day and that was just her unique personality. She is the strongest person that I have ever known.  

She would have graduated high school in May 2022. She had been taking dual credit classes at our local community college and that left her needing two credits to meet graduation requirements. It would have been a short and easy school year for her and my heart aches knowing that she will not experience it.  She was interested in psychology and forensics and going to college was not a question. 

We learned about MIB Agents in July of 2021, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity to travel to Disney World with my family. Taily also enjoyed the monthly warrior mail and it made her so happy to know that people took time to write a note or send a sentiment. She would read each note and take in the kindness and selflessness from each author. 

Today, we are learning to breathe and continue this life journey without her physically with us. She is missed so much, remembered each day and lives through her dad, me and her younger brother. I wanted to set up this family fund in her honor, to ensure that other children, teens and young adults in her situation have the necessary resources and emotional support.