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Steps to Cure Sarcoma

Sun May 17, 2026
Wayne, PA 19087 US Directions
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Team Fundraiser

Cyndi's Circle

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Current Team Members:
1
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$9,086

Raised of $18,000

Cyndi's Sarcoma Journey

Most people have probably never heard of sarcoma – I know I hadn’t until February 15, 2024 when I was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic synovial sarcoma, a rare form of soft tissue sarcoma that arises from the synovial tissue, which lines joints and tendons. It accounts for less than 1% of all cancers and is most commonly diagnosed in adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 35. It all began with a small “knot” in my left thigh that I chalked up to a running injury as I had been training for and participating in 5K races during the spring of 2023. When that knot started to grow, and began causing me pain throughout the fall and winter of 2023, I sought medical advice from my family doctor who assured me it was probably nothing serious, but sent me for an ultrasound to be cautious. I never made it to that January 6th ultrasound but ended up in the ER due to extreme pain where I was misdiagnosed with an infected hematoma and advised to follow up with an MRI. An MRI on February 2nd was ruled inconclusive and I was referred to Penn Orthopedic Oncology for follow-up. That is the day my whole life changed – the boundary line of the before and after. In the subsequent weeks, I would begin a journey that no one wants to go on. I would meet the incredible people who would discover my cancer, and be there to help me through the excruciating days ahead, lending their miraculous hands (literally and figuratively) in helping to save my life.

I started treatment almost immediately, including intense chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. As a 45-year-old mother of 4, this diagnosis upended our whole life, physically, mentally and emotionally. Not only are you frightened of what is happening inside your own body and the treatment necessary to fight it, but you are paralyzed by the unthinkable as the fate of your hopes, dreams, future, and life as you know it seem to hang in the balance. The toll this takes on the patient as well as their loved ones is immeasurable. I was and am lucky to have a loving, generous support system of family and friends. I am beyond fortunate to have an extraordinary team of doctors, nurses, and practitioners from Penn Medicine as well as Memorial Sloan Kettering in my corner, helping me navigate this terrifying new world I found, and still find myself in now.

Since my initial chemo/radiation/surgery trifecta, I have been on a clinical trial; back on chemo; on daily drug regimens at home; receiving various types of radiation; became the first adult patient at Penn Medicine to receive an innovative T-cell treatment for synovial sarcoma called Tecelra; had multiple recurrences and medical emergencies; and finally am learning to live life with cancer. I have changed my life radically – my diet and lifestyle now revolve around health and wellness including diet, activity and general mindset. In addition to my cancer care at Penn, I see an integrative oncologist at Jefferson as well as a cancer dietician at CreateCures in Southern California; receiving acupuncture; and most recently taking part in sound bath and meditation. While necessary for my cancer management and my overall health and well-being, all of this takes me to countless appointments in the city, and extended hospital stays, occasionally with stretches of time away from my family. It is physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing…more than anything, the time apart from my children as well as the uncertainty that now clouds our lives, can be difficult and heartbreaking for all of us.

My entire team is always helping me to navigate the next steps, and giving me hope to stay strong, and keep fighting as I continue to deal with the challenges of this disease. However, sarcoma is rare - there is still so much research to be done and dire funding that is needed. That's why I feel it is my duty to raise my voice, and share my story. If I can help even one person to get diagnosed early, if I can help even one person with sarcoma to not feel alone and to encourage them to have hope, if I can help to raise even $1 to go toward finding a cure, I feel it’s worth putting myself out there and opening my heart.

Last May I participated in Penn Medicine’s Annual Fundraiser, Steps to Cure Sarcoma, for the first time – it was an incredible experience to be immersed in the sarcoma community while also raising funds. I’m now building my team for 2026! If you’re interested in joining us on Sunday, May 17th, in support of sarcoma research, either in-person or virtually, please sign up to become a member of my team! In addition, please help to share my story & join me in this fight! All my love, Cyndi

Top Donors

$9,086 Raised By 113 Donors

$500 from Anonymous
$360 on behalf of Erik Senders
$250 on behalf of Chantal Rotondo
$250 on behalf of Lisa Chosed
$250 on behalf of The Munn’s
$250 on behalf of The Shields Family
$200 on behalf of Anna Tamburrino
$200 on behalf of Christina Gabriel
$180 on behalf of Cyndi Cohen
$180 on behalf of Cyndi Cohen
$180 on behalf of The Margolis Family
$170 on behalf of Gail Druzak
$150 on behalf of Colleen Chuo
$126 on behalf of The Etter Family
$100 on behalf of Allyson Davis Eastman
$100 on behalf of Amy Berman
$100 on behalf of Amy Sangkavasi
$100 on behalf of Andrea Shuirman
$100 on behalf of Andrea Unknown
$100 on behalf of Casey Janiec
$100 on behalf of Colleen March
$100 on behalf of Dawn and Adam Peck
$100 on behalf of Donna McNamara
$100 on behalf of Dory Wiley
$100 on behalf of Erica Schmidt
$100 on behalf of Gina Foody
$100 on behalf of Heather Swartz
$100 on behalf of Israela Rozencwig
$100 on behalf of Jeff & Samantha Stirling
$100 on behalf of Jennifer Curry
$100 on behalf of Jennifer Walton
$100 from Anonymous
$100 on behalf of Laura Kelly
$100 on behalf of Laura Miller
$100 on behalf of Mark Jenkins
$100 on behalf of Maureen Carroll
$100 on behalf of Melissa Drysdale
$100 on behalf of Melissa Young
$100 on behalf of Mrs. Price 1st Grade Class
$100 on behalf of Rebecca Hinderliter
$100 on behalf of Ryan Spak
$100 on behalf of Sean and Traci Bartlett
$100 on behalf of Sima Jill Ostrick
$100 on behalf of Stephanie Ott-Inslee
$100 on behalf of Tara Irvin
$100 on behalf of The Cappa Family
$54 on behalf of Cyndi Cohen
$54 on behalf of Sabrina Sacks Mann
$50 from Anonymous
$50 on behalf of Alexandra Metzger
$50 on behalf of ASHLEE HAMEL
$50 on behalf of Caroline Blanchette
$50 on behalf of Christine Nase
$50 on behalf of Danielle Dalton
$50 on behalf of Dena, Melissa & Brett Rosenblatt
$50 on behalf of Elaine Shanken
$50 on behalf of Elaine/Marty Markowitz
$50 on behalf of Elisa Fasano
$50 on behalf of Heather Neff
$50 on behalf of Jamie Erfle
$50 on behalf of Jamie McMullen
$50 on behalf of Jessica Hilton
$50 on behalf of Jessie Salka
$50 on behalf of Jill Sonlin
$50 on behalf of Kathleen McManus
$50 on behalf of Kelly Pucillo
$50 on behalf of Kerri Zwiebel
$50 on behalf of Lori Braunstein
$50 on behalf of Maria Ciocca
$50 on behalf of Megan Valencia
$50 on behalf of Melissa Parker
$50 on behalf of Mindy Dion
$50 on behalf of Natalie Rego
$50 on behalf of Ottenbreit Family
$50 on behalf of Patricia Neff
$50 on behalf of Patricia Taraborrelli
$50 on behalf of Paul & Felicia
$50 on behalf of Stacy Fink
$50 on behalf of Susana marquez
$50 on behalf of The Wilkersons
$50 on behalf of The Becker Family
$50 on behalf of The Rivel Family
$50 on behalf of Tim Brennan
$40 on behalf of Brandi Silverbook
$36 on behalf of Home berkheimer
$36 on behalf of Jen Harnick
$36 on behalf of MINDY PERLMUTTER
$36 on behalf of Rachel Kushner
$36 on behalf of Randi Copman
$36 on behalf of Talia Timmins
$36 on behalf of Wendy Gartenberg
$30 on behalf of Cara High
$30 on behalf of Cyndi Cohen
$30 on behalf of Gianna Cericola
$25 on behalf of Avery Longacre
$25 on behalf of Dana Gaetano
$25 on behalf of Denise and Marc
$25 on behalf of denise dougherty
$25 on behalf of Ellen Feist
$25 on behalf of Jamie Hurvitz- Friedman
$25 on behalf of Jennifer Habowski
$25 on behalf of Kelly Camburn
$25 on behalf of Meg Budden
$25 on behalf of my friend Susannah Elwyn
$25 from Anonymous
$25 on behalf of Staci Mickelberg
$25 on behalf of Sue Unknown
$20 on behalf of Heather Burstin Widensky
$20 on behalf of Lauren London
$10 on behalf of Cyndi Cohen
$10 on behalf of Lindsay Unknown
$10 on behalf of Michael & Davida Kleinman
$5 from Anonymous

Cyndi's Circle Team Members

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