Laura was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in her right leg started in the summer of 2001, just as the family was planning on moving from Toledo to Minneapolis, for her Dad’s job. Seventeen-year old Laura had just started her senior year at Eden Prairie High School when she was diagnosed.

From October 2001 to July 2002, Laura endured 18 rounds of chemotherapy at the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview.

The chemotherapy stopped the tumor’s growth, enabling doctors to successfully remove it along with 16 centimeters of bone and replace it with a steel rod.

After a major physical therapy regimen, Laura recovered from surgery and eventually returned to her active life, which included running, lacrosse and horse jumping.

Laura’s love of horses led her to enroll at Sweet Briar College in Virginia, which offers one of the nation’s premier equestrian programs. Laura was majoring in history.

In June 2005, after her return from college for the summer, Laura underwent surgery to replace the rod in her leg, which had become loose. Although she said it felt like her leg was “falling apart,” she still rode in a horse show prior to her surgery.

Unfortunately, the cancer returned during the summer of 2005 and, as osteosarcoma often does, it had spread to her lungs. During the next 19 months, Laura fought courageously through surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation, always displaying her beautiful smile and her strong faith.

Although Laura and her parents had moved out of state since that time, they traveled during Laura’s last few months to Hawaii, as well as to Chicago and Minneapolis to see friends.

Laura lost her battle with osteosarcoma on February 19. She died peacefully surrounded by her family in Toledo, Ohio.

Laura had requested that her visitation and memorial service/reception be considered a celebration of life and, accordingly, that attendees wear bright colors (but she did say, if you have something black that you really look good in, black would be okay). That sounds like Laura!

Laura’s never-ending faith and optimism are demonstrated by this Biblical verse on her Caring Bridge Web Site.

"...whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."

James 1:2-4

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