July 2026 · National Sarcoma Awareness Month
July is National Sarcoma Awareness Month 💛
Before Lincoln was diagnosed, we had never even heard of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma.
Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) is a rare and aggressive soft tissue cancer that most often affects infants and young children. Because it's so rare, many people go their entire lives without ever hearing its name—until it's their child.
Over the course of 17 months, Lincoln endured more than most people could imagine. He received 115 chemotherapy infusions, 28 proton beam and 3 photon radiation treatments, 17 blood transfusions, 1 platelet transfusion, countless blood draws, hospital stays, scans, procedures, and endless trips to Rochester. We celebrated good scans, faced devastating setbacks, and held onto hope through every stage of his fight.
What made Lincoln's cancer even more difficult was that his tumor carried two genetic mutations that made it resistant to the standard treatments used for his type of cancer. We tried four different chemotherapy regimens, hoping one would work. In the end, there simply wasn't a treatment that could stop his cancer.
Cancer didn't define Lincoln, though.
He was the little boy who loved dinosaurs, animals, exploring zoos, giving "big ol' squishes," and making everyone around him smile. He taught us what courage looks like without ever realizing he was being brave.
Today, because of Lincoln, we will never stop talking about embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. We will never stop advocating for more childhood cancer research, better treatment options, and funding for rare pediatric cancers. No family should have to hear that there are no more options because their child's cancer is too rare.
If you take one thing away from this post, let it be this: childhood cancer deserves more attention, more research, and more funding. Children like Lincoln deserve better.
This National Sarcoma Awareness Month, please take a moment to learn about sarcomas, share this post, and help spread awareness. You may have never heard of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma before today—but by sharing Lincoln's story, maybe together we can help change the future for another child.
💛 In honor of Lincoln. Always.