Maryland Trek
with Justin Berk
Caroline
Age: 16
Type of Cancer: Osteosarcoma
Treatment Status: 6 months post-treatment
Route Sharptown to Ocean City - 49 Miles (47 miles on bike, the final two will be walked to the beach)
Caroline has always been an overachiever and a go-getter. From her early days of wearing cowboy boots to baseball games and running the bases, to her love for soccer that saw her rise from county soccer to top-level club soccer in just a year.
But everything changed this past March. Caroline experienced pain in her leg after a soccer game. Initially thought to be an MCL sprain, it was later determined to be osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Despite the shocking diagnosis, Caroline's spirit never wavered. She continued to smile and laugh, even as she faced surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy.
Her first round of chemo was tough, but once the doctors got her nausea under control, she powered through. Caroline's surgery was a marathon 19-hour procedure where they replaced part of her bone with a cadaver bone to save her leg. She faced it all with a smile, even asking for French fries right after waking up!
Throughout her treatment, Caroline's determination to get back to playing soccer never diminished. Her journey has been about more than just surviving; it's been about thriving and inspiring those around her. She even turned her hospital stay into a way to motivate others, spreading laughter and positivity.
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