Megan Wagner and Family

As you most of you well know, The Wagner Family recently received some devastating news.  Megan,  One of their 8-year old twin daughters, had been having pain in her knee for a couple of months.    On October 30th, Megan had an MRI on her knee and a tumor was discovered.   Following the discovery the tumor, they met with an orthopedic surgeon, who specializes in bone tumors the very next day.  On November 1st, a biopsy was taken from the tumor.   After 2  long weeks of waiting, Megan was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, which is a cancer of the bone.   According to statistics, only about 500 children are diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in the United States each year. 


While the prognosis for patients diagnosed with Osteosarcoma has improved greatly over the years, the treatment regimen is very long and intense.   Megan will undergo 18 chemotherapy treatments.   Each one of these treatments requires a 2-4 night hospitalization at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis.    The chemotherapy treatments will be spread out over 8-9 month period.   During this time, Megan will need to visit the University of Minnesota twice a week in order to have blood drawn and meet with her oncology team.    After the first 6 chemotherapy treatments, Megan will undergo Limb Salvation Surgery in which the orthopedic surgeon will remove about 6 inches of her femur, a growth plate, her knee joint, and part of her tibia.  Once the affected areas are removed, a prosthetic device that is being custom-made in England will be put in place.  With this type of prosthesis, the surgeon will be able to lengthen her leg periodically without having to do surgery as Megan grows.


With this intense schedule of treatment, both Andrea and Matt will need to utilize the Family Medical Leave Act. Both Matt and Andrea are allowed to take up to 12 weeks of time off of work, but unfortunately because they are caring for a child, this time away from work will be unpaid.  While they are away from work, Andrea and Matt will still be responsible for their health, life, and dental insurance premiums, along with the payment of their other benefits.  Along with their normal living expenses, they will have increased out-of-pocket healthcare costs, expenses for travel, and other miscellaneous expenses that will occur during Megan’s treatment and hospitalization. 


Andrea and Matt have indeed touched so many peoples’ lives throughout the years and now we have the opportunity to give back to them.  Due to the many people who have reached out wanting to offer support, a GoFundMe account has been set up to help reduce the financial burden that comes with helping Megan fight Cancer.  Anything that you are able to give will reduce the financial stress that comes with this devastating diagnosis and will allow them to continue to focus on fighting this fight to get Megan healthy.  


Thank you for your care, concern and generosity.