Sometimes I get to deliver greetings for occasions that are extra special and important. Recently I had such an opportunity when I delivered this greeting for sweet Amanda on her final day of chemotherapy.

 

 

Amanda was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at 16 years old. Five days before her 17th birthday, she began an incredibly tough course of chemotherapy. Amanda was treated at Children’s Hospital of Atlanta, where she became very close friends with Catherine Williams. Catherine was also undergoing treatment for osteosarcoma and just one year older than Amanda. Osteosarcoma is typically treated with MAP chemotherapy, which is a combination of three different chemotherapy drugs. Amanda went through four rounds of MAP chemotherapy prior to having limb salvage surgery. After surgery and physical therapy, she faced another cycle of MAP chemo. Despite complications from chemotherapy, a second surgery, and all of the awful side effects of chemo, Amanda completed her final round of chemo like a warrior. We were humbled and honored to be able to help her celebrate this day.

 

 

Unfortunately, osteosarcoma does not always respond to MAP chemotherapy. Catherine’s cancer was much more advanced when she was diagnosed and MAP chemo did not work for her. She tried other courses of treatment, including radiation and clinical trials, but sadly nothing worked. Catherine Williams passed away in early June at age 18. Amanda was frustrated by the failure of Catherine’s treatments and began researching MAP. Amanda discovered that MAP chemotherapy protocol had not been changed in over 40 years. She channeled her frustration into establishing The Osteosarcoma Society, in memory of her friend Catherine. Amanda hopes to use her foundation to spread awareness and raise money for research. Osteosarcoma is one of the most common adolescent cancers, but the treatment options are quite limited. Amanda’s goal is to fund more cutting edge research for osteosarcoma treatment. She has already raised $50,000 to fund a research project headed by Dr. Adam Durbin.

 

If you would like more information about The Osteosarcoma Society, please visit www.the-osteosarcoma-society.com. If you would like to donate to help Amanda fund more research, please visit www.gofundme.com/the-osteosarcoma-society. If you would like to read Amanda’s story in her own words, please visit rallyfoundation.org/rally-kid-amanda.

 

All of us at Sign Greeters are in complete awe of Amanda’s determination and kindness through her own battle with osteosarcoma, as well as through the grief of losing a friend to the same disease. We wish Amanda continued good health and we hope that we can help amplify her mission.

 

Brutus, The Sign Greeters Birdie