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Join friends and family of the Peter Skelton Sarcoma Research Foundation to raise funds and awareness of sarcoma.

Partial proceeds benefit the sarcoma programs at the Abramson Cancer Center at Pennsylvania Hospital.

Peter Skelton was a young man in his prime. He had a contagious laugh and a zest for life. On July 9, 2003, at the age of 36, doctors found a tumor. He had surgery in August, was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma, and was admitted to Johns Hopkins in late September. He passed away on November 2.

Pete’s valiant battle, from diagnosis to death, lasted a little less than four months. That was a very short time – four months – to comprehend that he had a malignant cancer, find a specialist for this relatively unknown disease, and just simply hope that some treatment existed to help.


The Peter Skelton Sarcoma Research Foundation was founded by Pete’s brother and sisters in memory of Peter. Their wish, as his would be, is to help others fight sarcoma cancer.

Peter Skelton Sarcoma Research Foundation Annual Sarcoma Walk/Run/Cycle

Date: Sunday, July 13, 2014, 7:30 – 11:30am
Location: RiverWinds in West Deptford, New Jersey
Times: Cycle: 7:30 am, Walk: 8:30 am, Run: 9 am

Benefits the Abramson Cancer Center's Joan Karnell Supportive Care Program at Pennsylvania Hospital

At 23, Megan Dychala was a former college soccer player who thought her nagging knee pain was a result of old injuries. She was young, active, and enjoying all that life had to offer her. But, in October, 2013 she got a phone call that would change her life.

Megan’s ongoing knee pain was in fact a tumor behind her knee. One day she was healthy and the next she was faced with a rare and aggressive cancer. Although statistics were against Megan, she knew she wouldn't let anything happen without a fight.

Luckily Megan found Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center and Kristy Weber, MD. While other hospitals said that amputation was her only chance for survival, Dr. Weber knew she could do better – treating Megan’s cancer, but also ensuring a good quality of life after treatment.

Megan shares her personal journey at the Abramson Cancer Center below.

 

My Sarcoma Story

My medical team worked with me to develop an aggressive treatment plan that included five and a half weeks of daily radiation followed by an intense surgery. Dr. Stephen Hahn was my rockstar of a radiation oncologist and took care of me every step of the way. Radiation left me burned and uncomfortable, but it is truly amazing how the skin recovers from so much trauma.

My leg after 3, 4, and 5.5 weeks of radiation treatment.

Finishing radiation and ringing the bell, surrounded by my family and the other cancer warriors there, was one of the best days of my life.



The surgery we opted for allowed me to keep my leg, but I would be sacrificing abilities. With so much reconstruction and working with nerves, there is no guarantee the leg will regain proper function. I was told I could never walk without a cane or walker and that I could need to wear a leg brace, possibly for the rest of my life, to support my foot. I was also told I could have limited mobility restricting things like driving and basic daily tasks.

The "what could bes" were daunting, but I trusted Dr. Weber and my vascular and plastic surgeon guru Dr. Stephen Kovach. Together, Drs. Weber and Kovach removed the back of my knee and rebuilt my leg through vascular, skin, and muscle grafts in a 14-hour surgery. I had a long road ahead of me, and a mountain of unknowns to climb.

Drs. Weber and Kovach's work was phenomenal. Less than six weeks after surgery, I was walking on my own two feet. I never had to use a cane or walker. I don't wear a leg brace. I drive my car, work out at the gym, and walk my dog. My leg function is improving everyday, and I see a 100 percent return in my future. This experience has taught me a lot, but most importantly, no matter how much the deck is stacked against you, or how grim the statistics look, you should always remember that you can be the one to improve the statistics.

A positive attitude goes an incredibly long way. I was diagnosed with a “one in a million cancer,” but now I am one more survivor. I owe this second chance at life to my amazing team at Penn Medicine and the Abramson Cancer Center.

Less than 4 months after diagnosis, I was celebrating being cancer free.

The Abramson Cancer Center is pleased to welcome Kristy L. Weber, MD as the new director of the sarcoma program at the Abramson Cancer Center, chief of orthopaedic oncology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and vice chair of faculty affairs in the department of orthopaedic surgery.

After receiving her medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. Weber completed an orthopaedic residency at the University of Iowa and subsequently completed an orthopaedic oncology fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. She is board certified in orthopaedic surgery.

Most recently, Dr. Weber was a Virginia & William Percy Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Oncology at John’s Hopkins Medicine, where she also served as the division chief of orthopaedic oncology and the director of the Sarcoma Program.

"I am thrilled to be able to join the team in Philadelphia at the Abramson Cancer Center," says Dr. Weber. "I enjoy seeing patients with known sarcomas of bone or soft tissues as well as those patients who are concerned about a soft tissue mass or bone lesion. The sarcoma team at Penn is a highly skilled group that uses the latest research and technologies to treat patients with this disease."

Dr. Weber  specializes in the treatment of osteosarcomas, soft tissue tumors and limb salvage surgery, and has an interest in research for metastatic bone disease. Her clinical interests include the treatment of patients with bone and soft-tissue tumors, utilizing limb-salvage techniques around the hip, pelvis, knee and shoulder.

Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks and months for more information about the sarcoma program at the Abramson Cancer Center.

Damon with his father, Tom

Damon Kline lost his father to cancer, and is riding to find a cure through the Philadelphia Ride to Conquer Cancer. In this blog, he shares with us a glimpse into the life of his father, Tom, and why he's dedicated to supporting the Abramson Cancer Center. Learn more about his ride here.

My Dad, Tom Kline, was diagnosed with sarcoma in December of 2012. Throughout the year that followed, he underwent 300 hours of chemotherapy, a major surgery to remove his lung, months of radiation treatment, countless procedures, and more hospital stays than I can remember – all at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center. Every day brought new obstacles and difficult decisions, which he met head on and without hesitation. Growing up, I always thought my Dad was the strongest, bravest, most fearless man in the world. Years later, as he ferociously battled a disease that weakened him physically, he still proved to be the bravest man I have ever known. He was, and forever will be, my hero.

My Dad lost a hard-fought fight with cancer this past January. He was just 54 years old. He left behind a loving wife, three devoted children, and 2 adoring granddaughters. He passed away just a few weeks before the birth of his third granddaughter and first grandson. He was an incredible family man, and I try every day to be the kind of father to my two children that he was to me, my brother, and my sister. With the support of my family, I will honor my Dad’s legacy by participating in the Ride to Conquer Cancer this October.

Throughout the ups and downs of my Dad’s illness, we never once heard any of his doctors say there was no hope or that there was nothing they could do. New obstacles or unforeseen setbacks were met with resolve, as they tried new methods and different approaches to cure him. The doctors at Penn were intensely dedicated to my Dad’s treatment and care, and their determination helped give our family strength during a time of great uncertainty and fear. We are forever grateful to the incredible doctors at Penn who did everything they possibly could for our Dad until the very end.

I don't know if I will see a cure for cancer in my lifetime, but I am convinced that there are still great advances to be made in the treatment and prevention of cancer. With research, studies and trials from dedicated doctors like those at Penn Medicine, we can continue to diagnose patients earlier than ever before, to expand the available treatment options and to change the prognosis of cancer patients. Since February, we have raised over $11,000 for the Ride to Conquer Cancer and the Abramson Cancer Center. Funding like this will help fuel this much needed research.

Statistics say that one of my Dad's four grandchildren will develop cancer in their lifetime. This is our chance to help them now. After everything my family has been through, we feel a responsibility to do everything we can to help advance the progress of cancer treatment and prevention. I hope you will consider getting involved, either by riding or donating. Together, we can help spare someone else’s family the pain caused by this terrible illness and preserve the memory of fathers like mine, who left this world too soon.

The Ride to Conquer Cancer®

Join Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center (ACC) on October 11 to 12, 2014 in the Ride to Conquer Cancer® (RTCC)—an unforgettable and epic bike ride through Pennsylvania’s picturesque landscape -towards one life-changing destination: to cure cancer. The ride isn't just for cyclists, it's for anyone who wants to see a cure for cancer.

At two days and 150* miles the RTCC will be a physical challenge—an emotional and inspiring weekend—that will give you a chance to join forces with our physicians, patients, and families to leave everything on the bike course and raise serious funds and awareness in the ACC’s fight to cure cancer.

The funds raised through the ride will be put to use immediately, powering the ACC's vision to eradicate cancer as a cause of human disease and suffering through precision medicine, novel research, next-generation therapies, and compassionate care.

This event will be remarkable and will bring together communities of cancer survivors, cyclists, and their supporters with a common goal to conquer this disease. Join the ride in October by registering today at www.ridetovictory.org or by calling (844) 777-7433.

*please note: exact route mileage may vary by up to 30 miles