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An MIB Agents Family Fund is a way for families to honor and remember their OsteoWarrior or OsteoAngel while helping others on a similar journey. It connects families to a caring community with a shared mission: to Make It Better for kids and young adults with osteosarcoma. Through MIB Agents, families can create a meaningful charitable fund without the burden of starting their own nonprofit, making it easier to turn love and loss into action and hope.
The 2025 Family Fund Advisory Council is made up of five Family Fund representatives who come together to support and guide other families in the community. They serve as a resource for both current and future Family Fund holders, offering insight, encouragement, and shared experience. By meeting regularly, they exchange ideas, provide feedback to MIB leadership, and collaborate on ways to Make It Better for all children and families affected by osteosarcoma.
Meet our 2025 Family Fund Advisory Council Members:
- Bronwen Greene, Because of Ian
- Karen Marsh, Because of Victoria
- Linda Chelsky, Because of Leah
- Nichole Beutlich, Because of Aiden
- Robert Lehrman, Because of Matthew
When did you first connect with MIB Agents, and what drew you to get more involved?
Bronwen: Our involvement with MIB Agents began with starting a Family Fund. Five years ago, when we were searching for an organization our friends and family could donate to in Ian’s memory, two sarcoma specialists we had consulted with recommended MIB Agents. I had a deep desire to see some good come out of our pain and loss, and, as I learned more about the various ways MIB Agents supports osteosarcoma patients and families, in addition to funding research, I became convinced that greater participation in the organization was the ideal way to see that come to fruition.
Karen: We found MIB Agents through another Delaware family whose son had just received an MIB mission. We were fairly early in our journey, and we needed resources. I reached out, and within a day, Ann called me, and our family has been involved with MIB ever since. Within days of talking with Ann, Victoria received many letters from people all over the country reaching out to encourage Victoria, which they did. A few months later, Ann was coordinating the first FACTOR conference, and being someone who likes lots of information and data, I attended the first conference, thanks to a generous sponsorship, and it was there that I knew we would be involved forever.
Roberta: My son, Matthew, contacted Ann Graham in the spring of 2017 while he was receiving treatment in Cleveland. He wanted to know what he could do to help MIB Agents.
Can you share your family’s osteosarcoma story and tell us more about your Because Of?
Bronwen: Ian was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his left proximal tibia in November of 2019 at the age of 12, after about 2 months of knee pain that was initially attributed to an overuse injury due to many hours of soccer each week. Unfortunately, he had metastases in his lungs and multiple bones at the time of diagnosis, so we knew he had a poor prognosis. When we knew MAP was failing, he had a palliative amputation and switched to I/E. His cancer was just too aggressive and widespread, and he passed away just 6 months after diagnosis.
Karen: Victoria was 13 years old, a competitive swimmer, and in 7th grade when she complained of ankle pain early in December 2014. Our family was not prepared to hear the words “your daughter has cancer” just a few days later. We quickly learned that Victoria was one of only a few kids known to have both Down syndrome and osteosarcoma. To complicate things even more, Victoria’s cancer had metastasized to her lungs. Two weeks later, after many tests, scans, X-rays, and second opinions, Victoria began her inpatient treatment that would last roughly 9 months, with her getting to go home for about a week every 2-3 weeks. During this time, she received various chemotherapy drugs, countless blood and platelet transfusions, a left below-the-knee amputation, a long battle with C-Diff, and two thoracotomies. We withdrew her from school as she could not be around many people due to her compromised immune system. We are grateful that Victoria was an outlier for six and a half years. Osteosarcoma is just plain ugly. The reality is, warriors will fight this disease FOREVER. We just don’t know how long forever will be for each of our kids. Selfishly, we all want forever to be, well, forever…years and years from now. But without research specifically designed to target osteosarcoma, the reality, unfortunately for too many families, is that this “forever” isn’t far enough in the future. Ours was too short...Victoria died 6 weeks before her 20th birthday, which she had hoped to spend in Miami. She and too many others have died too soon. Victoria created a poster during her first chemotherapy admission. This poster immediately became “her statement” – Let’s Kill the Cancer!
Linda: Our journey began in November 2016 when Leah’s osteosarcoma was diagnosed in her left distal femur by X-ray. She had just graduated from the University of Oregon in Environmental Science and was participating in a Student Conservation Internship program. Her enrollment in the program ended abruptly because chemotherapy and surgeries became the new priority. Initial treatment ended in July 2017, but four months later, there were new nodules in her lungs. After lung surgeries, she searched for further treatments and second opinions. Unfortunately, Leah passed away in March 2020 and is forever 24 years old. For Leah, every day was about living. Her family and friendships were important to her, along with her compassion for animals, equal rights, and environmental protection. We remember her for her strength and courage, along with her kindness and thoughtfulness. She was wise beyond her years, and she desperately wanted more treatment options and more research funding applied towards osteosarcoma. Because of Leah, we continue her wish for a cure and for better treatments, along with improved awareness and patient education.
Nichole: Aiden was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his left tibia in the spring of 2021. He had LSS and completed chemo the following Fall. A year later he had a recurrence in his lung, which was removed, and since then has had no evidence of disease.
Roberta: Matthew was 22 years old when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. This was his second battle with cancer, his first being a brain tumor when he was seven years old. Although having to deal with many challenges during his life, Matthew was the most positive, caring, and brave person I have ever known.
What motivated you to create a MIB Agents Family Fund?
Bronwen: After Ian passed away, our family and friends wanted to show their love and support by making financial contributions to an organization that would be meaningful to us and would honor what Ian would have wanted. Funding osteosarcoma research was our primary goal, and our Family Fund has enabled us to direct donations toward that effort and actively participate in it through the OutSmarting review process.
Karen: The desire of so many friends and family to offer help, money, and support to Victoria during treatment motivated us to create an MIB agents Family Fund. We understood, from having created a non-profit when Victoria was born, how difficult and time-consuming it can be to set up and maintain a 501c3. We knew we did not want to take the time to create our own non-profit. We wanted to spend as much time with our family and Victoria. Having the ability to create our MIB Family Fund and dedicate the majority of funds to research was very important to our family. Having a say in the allocation of the grants was also something we were not used to, but very excited about it. Knowing we can provide input from the patient/family perspective on how the Family Fund grant money is distributed is very important to us.
Linda: Our MIB Agents Family Fund started one year after Leah passed away. We wanted to continue Leah’s wish to help others and support research for osteosarcoma. After carefully searching, we found that MIB Agents was the best way to support grants for scientific research. We liked the MIB Agent mission and all the education and support programs they offer. We are happy to be a part of the MIB Agent community and see it grow over the years.
Nichole: During treatment, we quickly became connected with MIB and soon learned of the Family Funds. Family Funds seemed like an excellent way to support the ongoing essential work of the osteosarcoma community, and gave us a purpose and direction for our efforts.
Roberta: Matthew created our Family Fund after he reached out to Ann. We have continued our fund in his honor.
Has your connection to the Family Fund community helped you find healing or purpose? If so, how?
Bronwen: Being part of this community has given me both purpose and healing as I have gotten to know others who understand our family’s experience intimately, share our children’s stories with each other, and also share the desire to positively impact the lives of others and not just their own. Since I did not return to work after Ian passed away, being part of MIB Family Funds is my new “work.”
Karen: Being involved with our Family Fund community has definitely been healing. We enjoy the quarterly meeting, which keeps us engaged and connected. It is nice to be with others who have been on a similar journey.
Linda: The osteosarcoma journey is very lonely, and we were so happy to meet other families through MIB Agents. The connection we all feel is instant because of our shared experiences with osteosarcoma and grief. Healing Hearts is a program that MIB Agents offers to grieving parents. It has allowed me to learn about grief through sharing, knowledge, and self-care wellness activities. I am so thankful for this program.
Nichole: Family Funds has given us purpose by knowing that whatever financial funds we can contribute help in critical ways for research, awareness, and supporting other families. We can't do it alone, so we're incredibly thankful for MIB and the community it has created.
Roberta: MIB Agents provides crucial support to families through so many services. Their annual FACTOR Conference is a wonderful opportunity for families to connect with the osteosarcoma community. Our Family Fund sponsors travel awards so that patient families have the opportunity to attend.
What impact are you most proud your Family Fund has had so far—whether on research, awareness, or families?
Bronwen: I am most proud of the impact we have had on research. Even though our Family Fund contribution is small overall, when combined with the efforts of other families, it has a meaningful impact. It is so encouraging to learn about the research being done, provide patient perspective during the Outsmarting programmatic review process, support young investigators, and see how small grants can lead to larger grants in order to continue the research.
Karen: We LOVE knowing we are helping find better treatments and hopefully a cure for osteosarcoma. Such a difference has been made in the few short years we have had FACTOR conferences. It’s so exciting. Additionally, the relationships developed as a result of our Family Fund (and attending FACTOR) are priceless. The national campaigns (OutBarking, the awareness gold bows, and the auction) are all wonderful ways to keep our various friends and family connected.
Linda: I am most proud to support research and to be part of the grant application review process. It allows us to review research applications and support the ones that will have the most impact on beneficial treatments and survivorship for children and young adults with osteosarcoma. I also enjoy supporting FACTOR and seeing the collaboration and communication that happens between researchers, clinicians, and families.
Nichole: We are proud of the impact Family Funds has on support for families. Osteosarcoma can feel incredibly isolating, but MIB is able to offer some amazing and creative support groups for those who find themselves walking this road.
If you could speak to a newly diagnosed family, what would you want them to know?
Bronwen: There are many resources for support during your osteosarcoma journey, including other patients and families who have gone through it before you. Seek these families out.
Karen: Every osteosarcoma diagnosis is unique in its own way. I would encourage them to connect with resources available to our families, in particular those offered by MIB Agents, as we are specific to osteosarcoma. We offer something for everyone in the family.
Linda: If I were to talk to a newly diagnosed family, I would encourage them to look at all the resources that are listed on the MIB Agents website. I wish these resources were available when Leah was going through osteosarcoma treatment. I would also encourage them to attend FACTOR so their child could meet other osteosarcoma children and young adults. As a parent of an OsteoWarrior, you will do anything to make it better for your child, and MIB Agents is a good place to start.
Nichole: I would want to tell them to reach out to us at MIB and let us walk beside you.
What advice would you give to another family who is thinking about starting a Family Fund?
Bronwen: If you are hesitant to start one, talk with another Family Fund holder about their experience, but also know that you will make your experience your own based on your family’s desires. You will have plenty of support as you join a community of people who will encourage you to reach individual goals but who ultimately work together toward the common goal of making it better.
Karen: Just do it! I would ask what impact they want to make with the funds and remind them it’s very time-consuming to create and manage a 501c3…and can get more difficult as time goes on. Friends who initially support smaller non-profits move on, and it can be difficult to keep the non-profit going. An MIB Family Fund takes the difficult part out of the equation. We are still able to do our own individual fundraisers, and we get the marketing support of MIB, which is priceless!
Linda: It’s best to start a Family Fund when you're ready. OsteoWarrior families may be too busy with treatment and side effects, and an OsteoAngel family may feel numb from recent loss and needs time to process what has happened. Starting a Family Fund after a recent loss can allow others to show support for your child. It is uplifting to see donations go towards an organization that is meaningful to your child or young adult. Having a Family Fund allows you to share your story on social media and the MIB Agents website. Fundraising events that you participate in will help create memories for your OsteoWarrior or bring memories back for your OsteoAngel.
Nichole: Setting up a Family Fund is easy and a wonderful way to have a voice in the research, awareness, and support of osteosarcoma. Together we can Make It Better!
Roberta: Starting a Family Fund is a very rewarding experience. It’s like having your own 501(c)(3) without the expense or the hassle. You choose where you want your money to be allocated. You are not one charity, but rather part of a large organization of over 50 other Family Funds. There is definitely power in numbers!
