The Rogers, Minnesota hockey community is strong and unified; if something happens to someone in their ranks, they step up to assist. But nothing could have prepared them for the impact that sarcoma would have on the Rogers Youth Hockey Association. According to reporting from FOX9, multiple members of the community – from parents to players – were diagnosed with different kinds of sarcoma over a multi-year period. So they recently held a fundraiser in mid-January 2023; all proceeds are being donated to Rein in Sarcoma.
In 2020, Kari Como’s husband passed away following a fight with epitheliod sarcoma. She watched as other members of the community — and in particular, two young hockey players — grappled with their own struggles. One player has been fighting sarcoma hard. For Riley Kane, his most recent scan suggests that his treatments for rhabdomyosarcoma have worked. But the treatments were difficult. 42 weeks of chemotherapy, in conjunction with six weeks of radiation, wore Riley out. He was unable to participate in the sport he so deeply loved — but it was always on his mind.
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare form of cancer which develops in soft tissue, often in muscles attached to bones. This cancer mostly affects children, though it can be found in people of all ages. Rhabdomyosarcoma often forms in the arms, legs, reproductive or urinary systems, head, or neck. Symptoms vary but can include a lump or swelling, bulging eyes, headaches, difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, or bleeding in the ears, nose, or throat.
Driven by her own loss, and inspired by those around her, Como decided to launch a fundraiser to support the community and raise widespread sarcoma awareness. Though the fundraiser has since ended, you may reach out to Rogers Youth Hockey Association via their Facebook page if you would like to contribute or find other ways to help.
What is Sarcoma?
Sarcomas are rare cancerous tumors that begin in bone or soft tissues such as muscle, blood vessels, nerves, tendons, fat, cartilage, and ligaments. An estimated 1% of adult cancers and 15% of pediatric cancers fall into the category of sarcoma. Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are more likely to affect adults, with bone sarcomas most likely to affect children. There are multiple sarcoma subtypes, such as:
