Every Story Shapes the Future

Behind every synovial sarcoma diagnosis is a person – and a circle of family and friends navigating
treatment, survivorship, or remembrance. These stories create connection, spark advocacy, and reveal
human side of research.

Whether you are in treatment, NED, living with recurrence, supporting someone you love, or honoring
someone you’ve lost – your story belongs here.

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MEET PATIENT

Ralph Beyrouti

Ralph was diagnosed with stage 4 synovial sarcoma in the right hip with mets to the bilateral lungs in 2018 at the young age of 34. He had been complaining of hip pain for a few years prior to diagnosis, however was always assured it was due to a prior injury (femur fracture from car […]

A simple graphic with an outline of a person above the name "Ralph Beyrouti" highlighted in yellow. The Synovial Sarcoma Foundation logo appears in the lower right corner.

MEET PATIENT

Courtney Rodbard

Diagnosed in 2021 after struggling with breathing. Fluid was initially discovered around her heart, and after draining it, doctors found a 10+ cm synovial sarcoma mass growing behind her heart. Courtney was originally told the tumor was “inoperable” by her care team. Despite her dire prognosis, she chose to undergo six rounds of AIM chemotherapy […]

Minimalist graphic with a generic person icon above the name "Courtney Rodbard" in bold yellow text, and the Synovial Sarcoma Foundation logo in the lower right corner.

MEET PATIENT

Christian

Diagnosed in January 2022 at the age of 32 after almost three years of intermittent but steadily worsening pain in his left shoulder. The symptoms were misdiagnosed as shoulder impingement, bursitis, and ganglion cyst by several physicians. A “whoops surgery” had already been scheduled, but after two failed aspiration attempts for the supposed cyst, a […]

Minimalist graphic with a simple outline of a person above the name "Christian" highlighted in yellow. At the bottom right is the Synovial Sarcoma Foundation logo with a green awareness ribbon.

MEET PATIENT

Judy Owen Walker

Originally misdiagnosed as having small cell osteosarcoma, a 5+ cm high-grade tumor was found in her left thigh invading the femur. She completed four rounds of high-dose doxorubicin (outpatient) and four doses of intra-arterial cisplatin (inpatient). Limb-sparing surgery with allograft tumor removal was performed in June 2009 with clear margins but not enough necrosis to […]

Minimalist graphic with a teal outline of a person above the name "Judy Owen Walker" highlighted in yellow. In the bottom right corner, the Synovial Sarcoma Foundation logo appears.

MEET PATIENT

Lisa O’Brien

Diagnosed with synovial sarcoma of the lower middle left lung lobe (4.8 cm) in April 2020. She had zero symptoms, and the tumor was found by accident. The lower left lobe was removed through Northern Kaiser California by thoracic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Velotta (not a sarcoma specialist, as she didn’t know it was synovial sarcoma […]

A simple graphic features a teal outline of a person above the name "Lisa O’Brien" in bold yellow text, with the Synovial Sarcoma Foundation logo at the bottom right. The background is light with abstract green circles.

MEET PATIENT

Steven Moreda

Diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in the right arm growing into his median nerve in November 2002 at age 37. A 5 cm tumor was removed at a local hospital after being assured it was a ‘fluid-filled benign cyst.’ Pathology determined it was synovial sarcoma. Steven sought treatment at MD Anderson and received care locally at […]

A simple graphic with a teal outline of a person above the name "Steven Moreda" highlighted in yellow. In the bottom right corner is the Synovial Sarcoma Foundation logo.

Thank You for Sharing Your Story

Please share any details of your journey that you feel comfortable with. By submitting your story, you allow the
Synovial Sarcoma Foundation to share it across our website, social media, and educational materials to help
support and inform others.