Liz was only an eighth grader when she began her battle with cancer in the fall of 2004. Her right leg hurt whenever she walked and she developed a bump below her right knee. Liz began complaining because the pain became so great.

On Nov. 26, 2004, Liz was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, in her right leg. The news was numbing. “I was scared, and it really didn’t feel real,” recalls Liz.

From December 2004 through October 2005, Liz would undergo chemotherapy as well as surgery on Feb. 28, 2005, to remove a walnut-sized tumor. The tumor was replaced with an artificial knee and a cadaver bone. During those 11 months, she spent a total of 30 weeks at the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview.

Liz’s treatment took its toll on her. Chemotherapy made her extremely tired, hampering her from doing her homework. “The worst part of the experience was getting mouth sores,” she says. “I couldn’t talk, eat, drink or swallow.”

To make her hospital stay more bearable, Liz brought a few of the familiar comforts of home, including pillows and a stuffed monkey. She passed the time in her hospital room by playing games with her Care Partners volunteer, Jenna Langer. Care Partners is a Children’s Cancer Research Fund quality-of-life program for pediatric cancer patients and their families at the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview. Liz says she and Jenna still get together as friends.

Since ending her treatment, Liz has battled the lasting effects of reduced mobility in her right leg. Although she cannot currently play many sports or ride a bike, she keeps busy by providing nanny services for her aunt, watching movies, camping and visiting friends.

Liz is now in the 11th grade at De LaSalle High School and works at Target. Last summer she appeared in a locally produced independent film called "Cave Woman on Mars." She is performing LaSallian Ministry and is also involved in Big Brothers/Big Sisters program through her school. Next summer, Liz will be going on a school trip to Brazil. She has also received the Sullivan Ballou Award, which recognizes people who give with their heart through service.

Although her battle with cancer has had its challenges, Liz focuses on the positives of the experience — caring doctors and nurses and meeting a lot of fellow patients. “I am cancer-free and healthy, my family is doing well, and I met several new friends,” she says.

One of Liz’s new friends is Children’s Cancer Research Fund — a friend to all pediatric cancer patients and their families. “Children’s Cancer Research Fund is a great organization that is helping kids in the future so they don’t have to experience what I experienced during my battle with cancer, and that’s great,” she says.

In looking toward the future, Liz offers this advice to other kids battling cancer. “Stay strong and have fun whenever you can,” she says.


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