Help Rebecca Johnston Fight Cancer
Donation protected
Thank you for visiting Rebecca's GoFundMe page and supporting Becca in her fight against osteosarcoma cancer. Donations for Rebecca will be used to help with out-of-pocket expenses needed during her long treatment period. Any funds not used will be provided to support local sarcoma research/advocacy and/or local families of childhood sarcoma cancer patients. Rebecca and her family are SO thankful for the love and support. Here's is Rebeccas Story:
Becca's fight against Osteosarcoma began on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at 18 years of age. Becca had just started her freshman year at Whitman College in Walla Walla WA (about 3 hours east of Hood River OR). She was living her dream of playing college volleyball, making awesome new friends and beginning her educational journey. A few weeks prior to the beginning of school Becca was complaining of what we thought was a muscle strain in her lower left quadricep, just above the kneecap. Becca had been training hard with a personal trainer - getting in shape before reporting to Whitman for volleyball "pre-season". Then, just a few weeks into the school year the "strained muscle" wasn't getting better and a big lump began to form on her leg. The lump grew bigger, was painful, and was not responding to physical therapy. Sidelined from the pain, Becca went to the orthopedic doctor in Walla Walla and got an X-ray of her leg. This was the day our lives changed forever.
The X-ray of Becca's left leg revealed a tumor growing from the distal (lower) end of her left femur bone. We will never forget the Doctor's words heard through the phone that night, "...Becca has a large tumor growing out of the end of her femur." 2-days later an MRI revealed the tumor was quite large, growing in and on her femur and was very likely a "osteosarcoma" - this was devastating news. Most devastating to Becca was hearing she would have to leave school. We spent two painful, emotional days at Whitman breaking the news to her volleyball family, breaking the news to close family and friends, watching a volleyball match, packing up a few things from her dorm, and driving her home to Hood River....
Although leaving Whitman that weekend was very sad, Becca did get to go back the next couple weekends and attend volleyball matches with her team (GO Blues!). At home in Hood River Becca has been able to spend some time helping the Hood River Valley High School volleyball teams (GO Eagles!) and reconnecting with former teammates and friends. Becca has also continued to work on her Whitman academics - completing coursework remotely.
On October 11, 2017 Becca's diagnosis was officially confirmed as Osteosarcoma. Over the next several months Becca will endure aggressive chemotherapy, limb-salvage surgery and recovery/rehabilitation. The amount of love, prayers and support for Becca and our family has been humbling and greatly appreciated. We firmly believe this journey for Becca will be merely a "bump in the road" for her and she will come out of this wearing the title "Survivor!" Becca has a long wonderful life ahead of her, and College isn't going anywhere. Let's beat this cancer and get back to it!
Becca's fight against Osteosarcoma began on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at 18 years of age. Becca had just started her freshman year at Whitman College in Walla Walla WA (about 3 hours east of Hood River OR). She was living her dream of playing college volleyball, making awesome new friends and beginning her educational journey. A few weeks prior to the beginning of school Becca was complaining of what we thought was a muscle strain in her lower left quadricep, just above the kneecap. Becca had been training hard with a personal trainer - getting in shape before reporting to Whitman for volleyball "pre-season". Then, just a few weeks into the school year the "strained muscle" wasn't getting better and a big lump began to form on her leg. The lump grew bigger, was painful, and was not responding to physical therapy. Sidelined from the pain, Becca went to the orthopedic doctor in Walla Walla and got an X-ray of her leg. This was the day our lives changed forever.
The X-ray of Becca's left leg revealed a tumor growing from the distal (lower) end of her left femur bone. We will never forget the Doctor's words heard through the phone that night, "...Becca has a large tumor growing out of the end of her femur." 2-days later an MRI revealed the tumor was quite large, growing in and on her femur and was very likely a "osteosarcoma" - this was devastating news. Most devastating to Becca was hearing she would have to leave school. We spent two painful, emotional days at Whitman breaking the news to her volleyball family, breaking the news to close family and friends, watching a volleyball match, packing up a few things from her dorm, and driving her home to Hood River....
Although leaving Whitman that weekend was very sad, Becca did get to go back the next couple weekends and attend volleyball matches with her team (GO Blues!). At home in Hood River Becca has been able to spend some time helping the Hood River Valley High School volleyball teams (GO Eagles!) and reconnecting with former teammates and friends. Becca has also continued to work on her Whitman academics - completing coursework remotely.
On October 11, 2017 Becca's diagnosis was officially confirmed as Osteosarcoma. Over the next several months Becca will endure aggressive chemotherapy, limb-salvage surgery and recovery/rehabilitation. The amount of love, prayers and support for Becca and our family has been humbling and greatly appreciated. We firmly believe this journey for Becca will be merely a "bump in the road" for her and she will come out of this wearing the title "Survivor!" Becca has a long wonderful life ahead of her, and College isn't going anywhere. Let's beat this cancer and get back to it!
Organizer and beneficiary
Leann Hantze-Dickey
Organizer
Hood River, OR
Dean Johnston
Beneficiary
