Adyson Olivia Franz was born on October 12, 2007, in Pittsburgh, PA. While commonly called Adyson by her family, everyone who came to know her called her Ady.
Throughout Ady’s life, she was full of character and “Adytude” to say the very least. She always had a sense of independence, which she referred to as “Ady self” as a toddler, and she knew how to use her “Adytude” in stubborn ways. Ady’s friends always found her to be very funny and entertaining with her loud outbursts and “blonde moments.” She could bring a smile to anyone’s face, and she always made people laugh, whether she meant to or not. Ady valued her friends and family very much.
Ady wanted to pursue a career as an Orthodontist, and she wanted children someday. She loved animals and had many pets, but her “heart dog” was always Rocco, her German Shepherd mix who was such a source of comfort to her. Her nickname for him was Rocka-Roo or Roo for short. Ady loved crafts and was very good at art. She was a member of her high school’s Unified Bocce Team and loved assisting her teammates who had special needs.
Around the age of 5, Adyson and her Dad stumbled on their “Gem” in life, which soon became their home away from home, Blue Ribbon Farms (BRF). From that point on, Ady’s life revolved around horses. What started as a few horse riding lessons quickly became an obsession that resulted in most days being spent at the barn. Even more time was spent at BRF once Ady purchased and started leasing horses over the next 11 years. She competed in hundreds of horse shows, locally, regionally, and nationally, riding both the Western and English pleasure disciplines.
Throughout her career, Ady’s favorite horse was always Echo, who was a great companion to her over the years. Even when Ady was not riding horses, she enjoyed hanging out at BRF with her friends, where she helped with summer camps, birthday parties, and barn chores. She was also an active member of 4-H for many years, where she liked to compete at the 4-H horse shows and participate in the Hookstown Fair.
Ady’s time spent in the saddle quickly came to an end when she was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of bone cancer, Chondroblastic osteosarcoma, in her left femur on September 7th, 2023. After receiving multiple cycles of the standard MAP protocol, scans showed that her cancer was refractory to treatment and had metastasized to her lungs and pelvis. She then started the IE chemotherapy, but unfortunately, her kidneys could not withstand the drugs, and she had to discontinue that treatment and switched to a TKI oral treatment to slow progression.
In July of 2024, Ady made the heartbreaking and courageous decision to stop treatment and enjoy the remainder of her life outside of the walls of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. A decision no adult should have to make, let alone a teenager.
After 13 months of fighting her incredible battle, Ady’s life ended peacefully at her home when she passed away on October 28, 2024.
Throughout those last months of Ady’s life, she truly showed her inner self with remarkable strength, bravery, maturity, and grace. Her perseverance against the worst circumstances in life clearly showed anyone who met Ady who she really was as a teenage girl.
Ady had a very deep-rooted faith that was her anchor during her cancer journey. She always took her “Little Jesus” doll with her to all of her treatments as a reminder that He was always with her. She enjoyed placing the tiny Jesus figurines around the hospital and public places for people to find, to let them know how much He loved them. Her family continues to do so in her honor.
In remembrance of Ady, her family established a charitable foundation known as Ady’s Embracing Equines shortly after her passing. This foundation’s purpose is to give back to the community and support other terribly misfortunate children and their families that are battling for their lives in the fight against cancer. Ady’s Embracing Equines will expose these children and their families to the amazing world of horses and all the wonderful experiences that these beautiful animals offer.
Recently, her family established an additional fund through their local Cancer and Heart Association, lovingly named Ady's Echo of Hope, which will provide gifts of comfort to local children battling cancer and heart disease.
Her family will continue to fight back against osteosarcoma with this Family Fund that will assist MIB in generating donations for research and programs that supported Ady during her journey, such as Warrior Mail, which she always enjoyed reading. The majority will go to research as osteosarcoma treatment has been the same standard of care for over 40 years, and we need more options. These children deserve a chance to live full, happy, and healthy lives.
In His love, we will continue to support MIB’s mission in memory of Adyson and all of the children, young adults, and their families who have faced or who are currently facing this beast head-on to assist in bringing about change and hope for better treatments and outcomes. God bless every OsteoWarrior, OsteoAngel, and their families.
In His love,
Ady
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