Marine Corps Marathon Race Team 2023

Our son, Edward, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 19 in 2021.  He had just graduated high school and was on his way to become a mechanical engineer, the world was at his fingertips! Then a parent’s worst nightmare rocked our family while at the same time our daughter was battling an eating disorder!

Edward has been in treatment since his diagnosis and has had one extensive hip surgery to remove the tumor from his femur and thus far 3 lung surgeries - we know that more are in our future.  He has also had several other procedures to treat infections. 

He is far from the protocol that was established over 30 years ago and we are experimenting with other treatment options, to include diet - for which I am a strong advocate of we are what we consume! We will never stop fighting for a cure and we will never stop praying for a miracle.  My strength has been my faith and my faith continues to give me the strength that I need to remain positive and plow forward.  I find my energy in exercise, which includes running, weight lifting and our Peloton! 

We are a strong family and we continue to be energized by a strong community of extended family and friends that keep our batteries charged and our positive meter up! 

I did not quite have the energy for the Marathon - the MCM is the only Marathon that I have run in my running career back in 2012 and I was certainly one and done!  However, I do have the energy for the 10K, which, God-willing,  I will run this October in honor of my survivor Edward!

Many of you may know that I was on the committee and ran the Race to Cure Sarcoma held in Atlanta in April 2023 and we had so many family and friends who came out and supported that race!  I will continue to fund-raise and be an advocate for this devastating childhood cancer!

I've registered with the Race to Cure Sarcoma Race Team that is running in the Marine Corps Marathon and 10K to raise much needed funding for research, education and advocacy. Please support my efforts by stepping with me, making a donation to my page, or sharing this page to create awareness.

I am forever in your debt for helping me cure this horrible disease!

With gratitude,

Avril

#fightlikeaMcKeanDieser ❤️