Stories of progress, inspiration, and information in overcoming osteosarcoma.

‘It Is Our Turn to Fight This for Him’

David and Ingrid Hartz have made it their life’s work to end osteosarcoma in honor of their son, Miles.

David and Ingrid Hartz started thinking about osteosarcoma advocacy not long after their son Miles was diagnosed. They knew they needed to spread the word about this disease and to help push for more research and better treatment options. What they did not know is that their son would not be there to fight alongside them.

“In the beginning we never anticipated that he would fight the disease as long as he did, nor did we ever consider that it would end his life,” Ingrid says. “We always thought that we were going to get through it and that he would be with us, advocating for better outcomes. Now it is our turn to fight this for him and to end this disease for other children in his honor and memory.”

Ingrid, David, and Isabel Hartz at the 2024 Race for Hope

Hope for a Cure

Miles began treatment for osteosarcoma at 12 years old and went on to fight the disease for five years. He passed away in June 2023 at age 17. About two and a half years into treatment, David and Ingrid, along with Miles’ sister Isabel, began raising funds for osteosarcoma research.

“Much of what we do was born out of frustration, of having Miles’ hope continually being lifted up and then dashed,” David says. “Hope is very important and we decided we had to do something about it. We have got to be part of the solution, because what we are doing is not fully working for him.”

Miles’ doctors suggested David and Ingrid get in touch with the OSI, so David emailed the institute.

“The next thing I knew, Vanessa [Peterson] reached out and it has just gone from there,” David says. “Working with the OSI has given us this sense of connectedness — not only with the organization but with the individuals within it — that we have a common purpose and drive to end osteosarcoma.”

A Community Effort

The Miles of Hope Fund, which David and Ingrid established through OSI in 2022, has already raised more than $344,300 for osteosarcoma research. David credits friends, family, and the community with the fund’s success to date.

“So many people have come to us in support and remembrance of Miles. It is just so heartwarming,” David says. “Our neighborhood of Yorkshire has given about $75,000 alone. Last year, a neighbor of ours hosted a fundraiser cocktail party, and Miles’ high school’s theater group raised $11,000 just by passing around a hat.”

In appreciation for that $11,000 donation, the Stratford Playhouse was named presenting sponsor of the 2024 Race for Hope, the fund’s inaugural go-kart race at Speedsportz Racing Park in New Caney, Texas, held on April 12, 2024.

Raising more than $72,000 for osteosarcoma research, the event featured a 50/50 raffle, an hour-long Enduro style race, and a sold-out “Legends Race” in which 18 event guests raced alongside professional racing champions Bobby Hillin, Jr., and Alan Rudolph, the owner of Speedsportz. The first-place trophy for the main race went to the Khorsandi family, whose 9-year-old daughter Cambria is currently being treated for osteosarcoma at MD Anderson.

After the racing, Miles’ uncle Bryan Pannagl hosted a barbecue reception. Seniors from Miles’ high school assisted with sandwich assembly, and Ingrid and Isabel prepared the coleslaw. Several of the event attendees commented on how much they appreciated the unique choice for a fundraiser and the intimate family environment, as well as the good food and gorgeous Texas spring weather.

The venue was especially meaningful to David and Ingrid because they spent a lot of time there with Miles.

“It is a really special place to me,” David says. “Miles loved karting, and taking him karting was something I could do for him when I could not really do a lot.”

Speedsportz owner Alan Rudolph was supportive of the idea from day one, agreeing to participate in the Legends Race, offering a generous discount on the racing, and having his safety staff help with the event. “$72K is amazing,” Alan said. “So proud to have been a part of all this!”

Asking for Help

When asked what recommendations they have for families who wish to make a difference in osteosarcoma care, Ingrid suggests joining OSI’s board of ambassadors and setting up a Partnering for Progress fund.

“It is my obligation to advocate for osteosarcoma and personally contribute. And it is my obligation to ask other people to contribute and advocate, too.” — David Hartz

David recommends getting comfortable with asking people for help.

“I think of it like this: I know that I have got a purpose on my side that is absolutely worth fulfilling. It is my obligation to advocate and personally contribute. And it is my obligation to invite other people to contribute and advocate, too,” he says.

David also knows that every person he talks to about Miles is one more person who can advocate for osteosarcoma research.

“Many people do not even know osteosarcoma exists. To then tell them that there is no cure for this disease once it metastasizes — that is a harsh reality,” David says. “It is unacceptable that children are dying, that families are wrecked, because we do not prioritize [research for] this disease. We have to do better.” Through the Miles of Hope Fund, the Hartz family has co-sponsored Dr. Poul Sorenson’s research on immunotherapy targets for metastatic osteosarcoma.