Ravi Herndon lived in Saint Paul, Minnesota with his parents, Harriet and Robert. In many ways, Ravi was a typical young man. He loved watching videos, riding in cars, and puttering around Target. He loved his family, friends (shoutout to Alissa and Peter), and pets. He was a fighter since the day he was born prematurely.

In December 2022, Ravi was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. The primary tumor was in his left humerus. He also had metastases (mets) in his spine, lungs, and left tibia. Between December 2022 to April 2024, Ravi underwent multiple courses of grueling treatment. The chemotherapies used to fight osteosarcoma have not improved in 40 years, and they are harsh, to say the least. He lost a lot of weight and became dependent on his gastrostomy tube (G-tube), which is his feeding tube. His hair fell out. He was constantly sick. In July of 2023, Ravi had surgery on his left humerus. The surgeon removed 17 centimeters of tumor with good margins. Eight months later, the hardware in his arm became infected, and his family nearly lost him. The hardware was removed, and new metal was put in. Ravi lost the use of his arm from his shoulder to his elbow. On October 11, 2024, Ravi passed away from osteosarcoma.

Throughout his treatment, Ravi was extremely patient, gracious, and brave. He never stopped smiling! He was a favorite among the nurses on the cancer ward. He loved to listen to music. He loved 80s rock and Taylor Swift.

To honor Ravi, his family’s wish is to raise money for better outcomes and a potential cure for osteosarcoma. Please consider donating to the Osteosarcoma Institute today in loving memory of Ravi. 100% of every donation will support osteosarcoma research!