The MIB Agents Junior Advisory Board plays a vital role for young adults (ages 15–22) who have experienced osteosarcoma as survivors, patients, or siblings. As representatives of the community MIB Agents serves, they help shape the direction of programs, education, and research—driving initiatives that benefit OsteoWarriors and families while providing the scientific community with valuable patient perspectives to inform their work. Please join us in welcoming our 2025 Junior Advisory Board!
Hi all! My name is Sammy Ulloa, I am a 22-year-old OsteoWarrior and I live in Southern California. Prior to my diagnosis, I was a Division 1 cross country and track athlete at Saint Mary's College of CA. I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in my right proximal tibia at the age of 19 in August of 2022. I underwent 9 months of chemotherapy and a limb salvage surgery which left me with an internal prosthetic in my right leg. I completed treatment in May of 2023 and I have been in complete remission ever since. In my free time outside of my studies, I enjoy reading, spending time with family and friends, co-hosting MIB’s AYA osTEAo podcast, and serving as the President of the 2025 MIB Junior Advisory Board.
Hello my name is Mackenzie Maddry, I am an 18-year-old senior in high school and I am the Vice President of the MIB Junior Advisory Board 2025. I live in Northwest Arkansas, and I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in 2020 in my left femur at the age of 14. I had 9 months of MAP with a limb salvage surgery halfway through, and a cadaver bone was placed. That surgery led to an infection a year after treatment and I had to have all hardware and the cadaver bone removed and replaced. The replacement took 3 surgeries, the last one sent me into heart failure. I was in the hospital for 3.5 months, and I received a LVAD Heartmate3 to pump my heart for me until transplant. I had a heart pump for 1.5 years before receiving a heart transplant in June 2024,and during that time, I also had two more surgeries and now have a metal rod in my leg.
My name is Alejandro Lopez, I am a 22-year-old OsteoWarrior and I live in South Texas. I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in my left ankle 10 days after my 21st birthday in November of 2023. I underwent chemotherapy and a left below-the-knee amputation, I just recently got my prosthetic. I completed my chemotherapy in October of 2024, and have been NED since. I love spending time with God, fishing, being with family and friends, golfing, and serving as a leader for my church. I co-run The Vasquez Sarcoma Foundation in supporting patients and their families in my hometown of San Antonio, Texas.
My name is Allisen Rambur, I am 17 years old and from Houston TX. I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in my left femur at the age of 12 in November of 2019. I completed chemotherapy and radiation, and underwent limb salvage surgery. I have been in remission since September of 2020!! I enjoy listening to music, spending time with friends and family (and my cats!), and traveling and exploring new places!
My name is Andrew Bisaga, and I am a 19-year-old OsteoWarrior. In late 2017, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in my right proximal femur, undergoing MAP chemotherapy and a limb salvage surgery. I was declared NED in early 2018 and have been since. I’m currently a sophomore at Creighton University studying biology, but in my free time I like to bake and play guitar.
I am Annę Urzynicok, I am 19 and the sibling of an OsteoWarrior Nicholas from Maryland. At 11 years old, Nicholas was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in both knees in 2018. He went through a double-limb sparing surgery and chemotherapy, and he has been in and out of treatment ever since with multiple relapses. I am studying biomedical engineering at the University of Michigan and hope to have a career in pediatric cancer research. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies, painting, and spending time with my family, friends, and dogs.
Hi! My name is Camille Brady (22), and I'm an OsteoWarrior from New Jersey. I was first diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma at 12-years-old, and remained in remission for five years before I was diagnosed with radiation-induced osteosarcoma during my senior year of high school. In addition to undergoing chemotherapy for the second time, I also underwent an extremely invasive surgery, where I received a total (left) hip replacement, as well as a pelvic reconstruction. This surgery impacted the monitor function in my left leg, so I now use a crutch to walk and wear a brace to mediate my foot drop. While I’m not sure if I’ll ever ditch the crutch, it doesn’t slow me down — I love traveling the world, going to concerts, and walking countless blocks through New York City with my best friends. When I’m not on my feet, you’ll often find me watching true-crime documentaries or teaching myself how to crochet. I’m currently finishing my senior year at Cornell University and plan to move to Washington, D.C. after graduation. I’m incredibly honored to serve on MIB Agents' JAB '25 and give back to this amazing community!
My name is Daniel Saptari, and I am an 18-year-old OsteoWarrior from Massachusetts! I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in my left distal femur in July 2020. I then underwent over a year of chemotherapy and immunotherapy and a bone-growth limb-salvage procedure, and I have been NED ever since. In July 2023, I had a rotationplasty amputation. In my free time, I love to design and build devices for science competitions, fly model planes, and spend time with family and friends. I am grateful for this opportunity to be able to serve on MIB's Junior Advisory Board.
Hi I’m Elise Robinson. I am 18 from Houston Texas and 10 years in remission from osteosarcoma with a rotationplasty. I am currently a freshman at Texas A&M University for nursing. I am also an Ambassador Agent for MIB. In my free time I enjoy painting my own nail art and this will be my fifth year on MIB’s Junior Advisory Board.
My name is Evan Saptari. I am a 16-year-old OsteoSibling and a junior at Lexington High School in Massachusetts. My brother was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his left distal femur during the COVID years of 2020. He went through chemotherapy and immunotherapy for over a year, working towards a bone-growth limb-salvage series of procedures. After complications, he underwent a rotationplasty amputation in July of 2023. In my free time I play tennis both for my high school team and recreationally, I play guitar for my church. I enjoy learning new skills, and I love spending time with my friends and family. I am very grateful for this opportunity to serve on the MIB Junior Advisory Board, and I am excited to see what we can do!
My name is Gillian Bomi Okimoto. I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2017 and went through nine months of chemotherapy and nine surgeries over the next five years. I went through a process called distraction osteogenesis, a procedure to regrow my femur. I currently attend college at Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University. I enjoy watching many sports, and I love baking and reading.
My name is Inaaya Shariq, I am a 16-year-old 2x OsteoSurvivor and I live in Chicago. I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma when I was 11 in my right thigh during October 2020. I went through 10 months of chemotherapy and a limb salvage surgery, so I had an internal prosthesis in my right thigh plus a knee replacement. I was cancer-free for 2 years, until November 2023 in freshman year when I was re-diagnosed with osteosarcoma in my right leg again when I was 14. I went through 6 more months of chemotherapy until April 2024 when I had to amputate my entire right leg with a hip disarticulation surgery when I was 15. In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing, swimming, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.
My name is Jacob Knudsen, I am a 17-year-old OsteoWarrior and I live in Northern California. I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in my right femur at 12 years old in September 2019. I underwent chemotherapy and a limb salvage surgery, so now I have an internal prosthetic and knee replacement in my right leg. I completed treatment in May 2020, then relapsed in my lung in May 2021. Since then I have been able to get to NED, but not for long periods of time. I have had 4 recurrences total including the worst one in February 2023, when my recurrence included a nodule in my lung, one in my lymph node, and one in my kidney. I’ve been on several treatment regimens including two clinical trials. I’m currently on a clinical trial and am two months NED. My hobbies include sports, working out, hanging out with friends and family, traveling and trying to spread kindness, and awareness for childhood cancer.
Aloha everyone! My name is Keely Tamayose and I am an OsteoSibling. I am a Freshman at Pearl City High School in Pearl City, Hawaii. My sister Ally was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in 2018 and passed away in 2023. I loved helping my sister with all the fundraisers she did for MIB and I hope to help continue her legacy. I love playing soccer, being a part of student council and spending time with my family and friends.
My name is Lincoln Zick and I am a 16-year-old OsteoWarrior survivor living in Los Angeles. I was diagnosed twice, once in the right tibia and then in the right humerus. I have always had an active lifestyle and even after my treatments and surgeries, I still participate in my high school's swimming and golfing teams. Currently in remission, I am excited to serve as a member of the JAB!
My name is Luke Carter, and throughout my life, I've heard stories of my uncle Scott who passed away from osteosarcoma when he was my age. His legacy and dream to generate money and find a cure for cancer live on in my family and my own life. I'm a high school junior and love to run, golf, make art, and play piano.
My name is Matthew Ceelen, and I was diagnosed with high-grade osteosarcoma in August 2017. Over the following year, I was treated with the MAP chemotherapy protocol and Mifamurtide immunotherapy, Additionally, over the next several years, I underwent multiple limb salvage surgeries and revisions. Since officially completing my chemotherapy/immunotherapy treatments in August of 2018, I have remained NED. I am currently a Senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying Biomedical Engineering with the hopes of continuing my medical journey in medical school en route to becoming an orthopedic oncologist. In my spare time, I enjoy running, reading about history, serving on the MIB Agents Junior Advisory Board, and joining OsTEAo podcasts to display my love for tea and discuss with my friends about our shared experiences.
Hi, I’m Max, and I’m from Long Island, NY. I’m currently studying chemistry at Tufts University in Boston, MA. I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in my right distal femur when I was ten years old, in 2015. I was treated at NewYork-Presbyterian and am almost 9 years NED. I’m an MIB Ambassador Agent, and this is my fourth year on the MIB JAB. In my free time, I enjoy crocheting and watching new TV shows—my favorites are The White Lotus and Parks and Recreation.
Hello! My name is Michaela Bogon, I am a 19-year-old OsteoWarrior living in South Jersey. I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma to my right humerus with bilateral lung metastasis in December of 2022, right at the beginning of my senior year of high school. I completed a 9-month course of standard MAP chemotherapy, during which I underwent limb salvage surgery with cadaver bone transplant and right shoulder prosthesis. During treatment, I also underwent 3 thoracotomies (lung surgeries), with the last showing micro-tumors on pathology. This means my cancer is considered non-curative, and ongoing treatment has consisted of oral chemo, TKI drugs, and 3 different kinds of radiation to treat new metastatic disease to the lungs, leg, and brain. I love spending time with family and friends, cuddling with my Boston Terrier Violet, spending time at the beach, building with Lego, and watching cooking shows. I am very much looking forward to serving on the MIB’s Junior Advisory Board.
My name is Mikaela Naylon, and I’m 15 years old. I live in Southern Colorado, and I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in July 2020 at 10 years old. My tumor was in my left ankle and had spread to both of my lungs. I’ve done numerous treatments in Children’s Hospital in Aurora, MD Anderson, and the Cleveland Clinic. I got my leg amputated below the knee in October 2020 and had many lung surgeries after that. I’ve always been involved in advocacy. I’ve been on radio shows and local TV news anchors advocating for childhood cancer! I love hockey, cats, snowboarding, F1, and tennis!
Hi, I am Molly Penzer. I am seventeen years old and planning to attend the University at Buffalo this fall! This is my second year on the MIB JAB, but my connection to this organization goes back many years.Childhood cancer, especially rarer types, is often overlooked in society, and when my brother was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at ten years old, my family had no guidance on how to emotionally handle the extremely serious situation. Then, we discovered MIB. MIB has been a comforting, supportive and educational resource for my entire family ever since. Thankfully, my brother Max is now NED and serves with me on the JAB. Max and I continue to expand our knowledge of the disease and its effects, as well as possible treatments alongside our JAB peers.
My name is Sebastian Wang. I am 15 years old and living in Houston, Texas. My brother Jaden was diagnosed on April 26, 2021, with osteosarcoma in his right humerus. His brave, 3.5-year fight with osteosarcoma taught me many things about the disease, about love, and the importance of spending time with family. In my free time, I enjoy playing chess, piano, and basketball. I also enjoy hanging out with friends and playing outside.
My name is Sloane Dyer. I’m 20 years old and from Chicago and Atlanta. I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in my distal right femur in December 2016 when I was twelve. I went through full MAP protocol and had an initial limb salvage of my right femur and knee. I spent 6 years with my limb salvage and then electively chose amputation to address pain issues. I am now 7 years with no evidence of disease and going to college in Texas, getting a degree in vocal jazz studies!
My name is Sona Kocinsky. I am originally from Connecticut and currently live in the Boston area. I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in my scapula in late 2019 at age 16, for which I underwent chemotherapy and surgery during my junior and senior years of high school. Now 21, I am almost five years cancer-free and a senior at Tufts University, where I study biology and physics. My cancer experience has played a key role in my aspirations for a career in medicine, and in the fall of 2025, I will be starting medical school. Beyond academics, I enjoy running, rock climbing, and listening to music. I am so excited to be returning for my second year on the MIB Agents’ Junior Advisory Board alongside an incredible group of advocates.
My name is Te’von Berry Jr. and I am a 17-year-old high school senior. I reside in Florida, but I was born in Baltimore, MD. I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in my right femur on August 28, 2023 just 2 weeks before my 16th birthday. I completed 9 months of in-patient chemotherapy and had limb salvage surgery. I completed my in-patient chemotherapy on May 6, 2024. Unfortunately, on October 4, 2024, I found out that my cancer had returned in my right shoulder, 7th rib, and in my lungs. Currently my treatment plan is taking oral chemotherapy pills everyday. I’m scheduled to have a reverse shoulder replacement on February 26, 2025 and the areas in my lungs and rib are now stable and shrinking. Above everything, I love Jesus Christ, and my faith is very important to me. I enjoy spending time with my family, playing video games, going to church, and working my part-time job. My dream is to become a Residential Architect with hopes of attending a 4-year HBCU in the Fall 2025.
My name is Walker Smallwood, I am a 21-year-old OsteoWarrior and am from Northern Kentucky, but currently live in Lexington, Kentucky while I am finishing up my senior year of undergrad. Since diagnosis in 2018, I underwent typical MAP therapy and opted for a limb salvage surgery when they removed the primary tumor from my left proximal tibia. I was NED until the summer of 2020, when quarterly scans revealed a cancerous nodule in my left lung. Following the resection of that nodule, I have thankfully been NED since. Outside of class, I enjoy hanging out with family and friends, being active, and cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats. This is now my 4th year on the Junior Advisory Board, and I can't wait to see what this year brings for the JAB and MIB as a whole.
