Team “Sarcoma Sucks” - Lauren’s Story

Daughter, sister, fiancé, auntie, niece, cousin, my sister and best friend Lauren, was diagnosed with MPNST (Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor) in March of 2017. Having sarcoma sucks in ways only those who are fighting this type of cancer can understand. However that’s only a part of Lauren’s Story.

The bigger part of Lauren’s story is about human caring and kindness; about how a million little things easily become a big way of making a difference for others. From self-learning and teaching sign language in middle school, to co-leading a local organization at her high school that supported disabled students with participating in mainstream student body activities, Lauren has always found ways to help others. In college and post graduate school Lauren knew she would be dedicating her life to working with students who have learning disabilities. After earning a masters degree in Special Education, she became a Special Education teacher and an inspiration to hundreds of others along the way. Lauren does more than teach her students. She takes care of them as though they were family. When she learned one of the girls had never been to a salon for a haircut or out for an ice cream, Lauren contacted the student’s mom and asked if she could take the student out for the afternoon for a haircut and ice cream cone.

Quotes from her students include “Dear beautiful, brilliant, smart, nice Advisor: We already spent a year and a half together. We have fun, laugh, cry together. We eat together. I always consider you as my Mother at school based on your kindness and being so lovely. You give me attention and care about me as well as other kids at school. Beat cancer because you’re a strong, bright, beautiful, confident, young woman. Again feel better and if anyone didn’t tell you they love you yet, remember I love you.” And from another, “Ms Lauren: you are literally the best person I have ever met in all my life. A funny, cool person I thought I could never meet. Thank you for being there for me and all the other kids”.

Lauren lives every moment always thinking about making someone else smile. If you’re the one accompanying her to chemotherapy or her next surgery you’re greeted with a smiling, grateful Lauren handing you a “goody” bag filled with your favorite treats. If you’re lucky enough to be part of her cancer care team (all the nurses secretly ask to be assigned to Lauren), you’re often given delicious treats made by Lauren even when she may not have the strength or appetite to enjoy them herself. If you’re a fellow cancer patient and Lauren notices that you enjoy puzzling you’re going to be greeted the next day at your radiation treatment with a gift-wrapped puzzle from Lauren.

We are riding the Pan Mass Challenge to honor Lauren – my hero. She’s my role model for genuine human caring and kindness regardless of whatever you may be going through in life. Lauren is brave, courageous, forever joyful and the most selfless person I know. Please help me support Lauren’s fight for cancer by donating whatever money you can toward sarcoma research.

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