At the age of seventeen, Tracey found a lump in her jaw. The biopsy diagnosis was osteosarcoma of the mandible. As Tracey’s mom, I was at a loss:  ”How do I get through this?” I needn’t have worried; Tracey revealed to me what it is to be strong.

I’m not saying it wasn’t hard, or that she just superheroed her way through it. I’m saying she endured with grace and dignity, and she triumphed through her abilty to transcend her circumstances. We went about the business of cancer, sarcoma specifically, which is a category in itself.  She had three months of chemotherapy – and there was not only that to deal with, but the aftereffects, which actually made chemo look like a walk in the park. She had the other ill effects: hair loss, fevers, mouth sores so painful she couldn’t talk, and a twenty-three hour surgery.

Then, there was a brief respite, a glimpse of happiness, of a future . . .The old was Tracey back, like the one who had never been sick, who might have spent that year just hanging out with friends, staying up late, giving her parents the occasional hard time. I didn’t think that was an option anymore. Her mind was made up to go to college and become a nurse, specifically to work in a neonatal unit. I admit to being surprised; thinking she would never want to step into a hospital again.

Sadly, Tracey didn’t have enough time to achieve her goal, but she never gave up or gave in. She worked and went to school almost to the end. Life without her does get bleak, but I strive to match her dignity, strength, and enormous courage in the face of devastation. She is my hero and lights my path when I can’t see for the darkness.

This Team Sarcoma Everyday Heroes entry was submitted by Patricia from Valparaiso, Indiana.

This Team Sarcoma Everyday Heroes entry was submitted by Kari from Burnsville, Minnesota.

On November 2008, Tom had bilateral thoracotomies; the eight nodules, which were removed, still contained viable Ewing’s. On December 2008, he had an autologous stem cell transplantation with high dose Melphalan and Threosulphan. He recovered very quickly from the lung surgery and the transplant and was in excellent physical condition.

However, in September 2009, new tiny lung nodules appeared. This time our doctor told us that there were not treatment options for a cure. We don’t believe it. We want to fight, and we created a campaign in Israel to raise money and get treatment in USA. Tom’s story was on TV and in newspapers. Many people from all over the country donated to us, and now we are in Houston, where Tom received treatment and lung radiation at M.D. Anderson. Our doctor is Pete Anderson, and he gives us hope. It is very difficult and stressful to stay here so far from the home and alone (my husband and my older son stayed in Israel), but we know that this is the only option to find a cure. Tom is very positive, strong, and smart. He is full energy and humor. HE IS MY HERO!

This Team Sarcoma Everyday Heroes entry was submitted by Irena from Rishon Le Zion, Israel.

Ammie and I met at a time in my life when I needed a friend, and Ammie truly was sent to me from the Angels. I only got to know Ammie for 6 months to the date of her going to heaven. I met her at the airport, and she placed a little note in my hand wishing me good luck with all her details. That was the beginning of our special friendship, one that I treasure every day.

Ammie was inspirational; she was spiritual; she took life as it was and didn’t take anything for granted. Ammie was a friend to everyone that needed her; never once was she not there for me. Ammie had been diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, and if it affected anyone else I know, they would’ve let it rule their life . Ammie was never scared, always looking towards the future, excited at what it held and ready for whatever life was throwing at her.

The way Ammie has touched my life has truly changed me and blessed me. Not a day goes by that I don’t imagine her smiling face or her telling me it will all be ok. Only 6 months I got to know this precious girl, 6 months of friendship, a soul sister that I believe I have met before and I will meet again. I am saddened that I didn’t know her in this life longer; but what’s meant to be will be, and I find comfort that this angel is now above watching over us. Ammie Joy Scott: 21.10.1980 – 17.11.2008, I love you, thank you for your friendship.

This Team Sarcoma Everyday Heroes entry was submitted by Emma from Mackay, Queensland in Australia.

Every time that his mother updated us on Jordan’s condition it was always full of appreciation for what others had done for him and for prayers for others. With Jordan your heart hurt for the pain he was going through, but it was also so uplifting to hear how he was determined to beat it. The prayer request everyday was for healing along, with a list of people that were battling cancer.

Although Jordan suffered, it was not in vain. I know that his determination touched so many lives because it touched mine. He touched our whole community. As his journey with sarcoma came to decisions of what the doctors thought was inevitable, he began to fight even harder and refused to put his life in numbers or months. He always managed to keep his smile bright and his spirit even brighter for all those around him. One definition I found for the word “hero” is a man distinguished by exceptional courage and strength. Well that just about sums Jordan Lindsey up. Enough said.

This Team Sarcoma Everyday Heroes entry was submitted by Michelle from Tupelo, Mississippi.

The last few months, my Mom was in and out of the hospital. That is where my Mom met William. They met at the Valley Care Medical Center in Pleasanton, CA when my Mom was hospitalized for a blood infection (sepsis). My Mom and William had an instant, special connection; he was an Angel to her. He gave her a great gift no one else could provide: the gift of peace that comes with true faith. He soothed her fears of what was to come. The conversations they had were not shared with us in any great detail, but his words and presence brought her comfort and support beyond anything her family could provide. We will never know everything they shared; all I know is my Mom was blessed to have him minister to her near her final days. Our family will hold him most dear in our hearts always.

This Team Sarcoma Everyday Heroes entry was submitted by Kim from Martinez, California.

A few days later, there we were. The team of doctors and nurses were awesome, but things needed to move quickly as the tumor was removed in pieces allowing the vicious cancer cells to hasten through her body. Codi was joking around with the surgeon when she asked if they were going to have to cut off her foot. Needless to say, the answer was yes. Time was of the essence. With quiet dignity and a tear rolling down her face, Codi’s answer was, “Let’s do it. I want to be home for Thanksgiving because my brother is coming home.”

Codi’s strength and never-give-up attitude was the glue that held everything together. When going into surgery, we didn’t know if the amputation was going to be just her foot or her whole leg (it ended up as a below the knee). While they were wheeling her away, she was discussing with the nurse how she was going to design shoes for prosthetics, something for the 20-something age group. Codi had such courage, an upbeat attitude and way of looking at things, whether she was shaving the last of her hair off, puking from chemo, making jokes about being stumpy, or learning to walk with a prosthesis. She fought the good fight and won, with humor, dignity, strength and courage.

This Team Sarcoma Everyday Heroes entry was submitted by Laurie from Stockton, Missouri.

The cancer and the chemo have taken a toll on Zach’s body. He struggles to walk; he struggles to stand; he has a port in his chest for the chemo and other medicines and a feeding tube in his stomach for when he is unable to eat on his own. All his hair is gone and his skin is discolored. He needs help with lots of things that he didn’t before. But he still smiles and pays no attention to people when they stare at him. He is totally our hero!

We can no longer give Zach a big hug like before because his body is so thin and weak and it feels like he might break. So we hug him gently and plant kisses on his beautiful bald head. His attitude is great and his faith is strong. He believes in God and he believes God will heal his body. When anyone asks him what they can do for him the answer is always the same “keep praying”.

This Team Sarcoma Everyday Heroes entry was submitted by Janie from Newport, Tennessee.

We are so thankful that we had you for 23 years, Matt. Even though your life was short, you touched a lot of people’s lives with your beautiful spirit, smile and big brown eyes.

This Team Sarcoma Everyday Heroes entry was submitted by Beth from Ferndale, Michigan.

Andrea took her dedication to sarcoma patients further by creating Nick and Friends Sarcoma Foundation to honor her cousin. She raises funds for research, advocates for awareness, and does the great work of fostering relationships between patients and their families. She and her husband spend countless hours maintaining their website, managing their facebook group, and researching new ways to promote awareness. She has raised funds for research and encourages the heart of her foundation through her many friendships.

As a single mother without much family support, it was easy for me to feel lost and alone. I now know that I am not alone. Through Andrea’s efforts, we have funded a Ewing’s Sarcoma study, coordinated a drive to deliver stuffed animals to sick children, and assisted several friends with serious financial problems. Though the foundation has only been in business one year, it has grown exponentially and has united an active group of warriors whose passion is to eliminate this disease with a cure. The work we do is priceless. Together, we WILL find a cure; and because of Andrea, we know we are not fighting alone.

Andrea has been an inspiration to all of us and has positively touched the lives of so many. She is a true hero.

This Team Sarcoma Everyday Heroes entry was submitted by Kathy from Hanover Park, Illinois.