Partnering for Progress
Your osteosarcoma science fund with our support and infrastructure
Here at the Osteosarcoma Institute, we care about progress, not credit. We believe the more people working on the problem, the better. We establish partnerships with like-minded families and foundations wishing to co-fund osteosarcoma research studies and trials with the assistance of our organization. Raising funds in honor of a loved one is a major endeavor. We make it easier by handling many of the logistics. To learn more about Partnering for Progress, please contact our Development Manager, Vanessa Peterson, at giving@osinst.org.
Team Lydia Osteosarcoma Science Fund
The Team Lydia Osteosarcoma Science Fund at the OSI was established in 2022 by Lydia Alwan‘s parents, Jessica and Steve. Lydia was initially diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the spring of 2019 and has been cancer free for two and a half years! Her family and friends have helped raise more than $78,700 to date for osteosarcoma research (as of December 2023) through online giving and the inaugural Team Lydia Give Kids a Shot Charity Golf Tournament that took place on September 22, 2023! In 2023-2024, they are supporting a promising osteosarcoma research study conducted by Dr. Poul Sorensen at the University of British Columbia.
SAVE THE DATE: The 2nd Annual Golf Tournament will take place on September 27, 2024 in Meadow Vista, California. Learn more.
Miles of Hope Fund
In 2022, Ingrid and David Hartz established the Miles of Hope Fund at the OSI in honor of their teenage son, Miles. Sadly, Miles passed away from osteosarcoma at the age of 17 on June 25, 2023 after a five year battle against the disease. The Miles of Hope Fund has raised more than $352,000 (as of July 2024). In 2022, the Hartz family chose to support osteosarcoma research conducted by Dr. Richard Gorlick at MD Anderson Cancer Center. In 2023-2024, they are supporting a new study conducted by Dr. Poul Sorensen at the University of British Columbia. Support their fight by making a donation to their fund today.
THANK YOU: The 2024 Race for Hope go-kart fundraiser took place on April 12, 2024 outside of Houston, Texas and was a tremendous success!
Fabulous Faith’s Foundation
In 2013, 10-year-old Faith Rose Lautzenheiser entered heaven after her 10-month battle with osteosarcoma. In 2022, Fabulous Faith’s Foundation (FFF) generously provided a $35,000 donation for two osteosarcoma research projects, with one named for Faith, the foundation’s inspiration. They selected Dr. Sweet-Cordero’s research on the activation of STING as a therapeutic strategy in osteosarcoma to name after Faith. Learn more.
TeamIzzy Foundation Research Fund
The Osteosarcoma Institute joined forces with osteosarcoma patient, Izzy Martin, and her family to start a fund in her name in 2021. Izzy raised approximately $300,000 for the OSI’s osteosarcoma research during her lifetime. Sadly, Izzy succumbed to this disease on July 29, 2022. Her family is carrying on the work through the recently renamed the TeamIzzy Foundation Research Fund at the OSI. After the latest gift from the TeamIzzy Foundation, the fund has reached $450,000. All funds are immediately applied to breakthrough osteosarcoma research because new treatment options are urgently needed. Izzy’s mom, Christine, shares, “Izzy’s wish is that one day, no child will have to go through what she did.”
GO GOLD: The Team Izzy Foundation invites you and your school, business, or organization to Go Gold this September for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Learn more.
The Scott Shockley Foundation
The Scott Shockley Foundation was established in memory of Scott Shockley, a cherished son, brother and friend who lost his battle with osteosarcoma in July 2013. Scott’s parents, Terriann and Steve, are working directly with the Osteosarcoma Institute to co-fund promising research for this terrible disease. In 2023, they decided to select an immunotherapy study for high-risk osteosarcoma conducted by Dr. Jason Yustein at Emory University.
Shumiestrong Osteosarcoma Science Fund
Sam Shumadine’s parents, Elizabeth and Jim of Norfolk, Virginia, established the Shumiestrong Osteosarcoma Science Fund at the OSI in 2024 following their son’s battle with osteosarcoma and passing on January 3, 2024. Sam’s fund has contributed nearly $30,000 to research to date! More specifically, 100% of donations to his fund are being directed toward a Phase II clinical trial that is being led by Dr. Katie Janeway at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Sam participated in one of her clinical trials during his treatment journey, and now his family is committed to helping advance her efforts.
Lizzy’s Osteosarcoma Science Fund
In 2020, the Osteosarcoma Institute partnered with Lizzy’s Walk of Faith Foundation to establish Lizzy’s Osteosarcoma Science Fund at the OSI. Together, we have raised more than $126,000 (as of September 2023) in honor of Lizzy Wampler. Lizzy’s Fund is being applied towards a breakthrough liquid biopsy study selected by Lizzy’s parents and the founders of LWOF Foundation, Jennifer and John Wampler. This study is being conducted by Dr. Brian Crompton at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
SAVE THE DATE: Join us for Lizzy’s Annual 5k Walk/Run on September 28, 2024 in Columbia, Missouri. Learn more.