By Nikki Blankenship
Syndey Wisener, 22-year-old artist and SSU student, faced aggressive bone cancer when she was only 15, a fight she was only able to win after blood and platelet transfusions
Giving blood saves lives, and no one knows that better than 22-year-old artist and Shawnee State University (SSU) student Sydney Wisener.
Wisener was born in Scioto County, but moved to Michigan when she was 2-years-old. She lived in Michigan until 2015, when she moved back to her hometown.
When Wisener was just 15-years-old, going to high school, thinking about prom and getting a driver’s license, she was faced with something few her age ever have to endure. The teenager was diagnosed with stage two osteosarcoma, a bone cancer that produces immature bone. It is the most common type of bone cancer and commonly appears at the ends of long bones, specifically around the knee.
“[B]one cancer is a common and aggressive childhood cancer,” Wisener explained.
As is common, the cancer started in her knee. If the disease is localized, there is a long-term survival rate of 70-75 percent; however, if the cancer spreads to the lungs or other bones the survival rate is only 30 percent.
Facing her possible death, Wisener began a battle with cancer. She had limb salvage surgery on her right leg, replacing her total knee and the majority of her femur with titanium.
“But that was just the beginning of my battle,” Wisener explained.
While in treatment, Wisener had little time in school or being a normal teenager. Instead, she underwent a year and half of chemotherapy.
“[C]hemo is the worst part of cancer,” Wisener commented. “It destroys the cancer but along with it your body too.”
Chemotherapy would cause Wisener to become anemic. Before going in for a treatment, Wisener would have to have her blood checked. Her body was not able to create enough white blood cells to help fight infections. In order to heal and grow stronger, Wisener had to start getting blood and platelet transfusions.
“I have my fathers blood type B+,” the young student said looking back. “It was funny because my mom would say that’s a reminder to be positive during my treatment. She was my biggest supporter and my rock during those years.”
Because of the importance that blood donation played in Wisener’s survival, she and her family are passionate about encouraging others to donate.
“I absolutely encourage people to donate blood when they can. It saves millions of lives everyday,” Wisener stressed as she explained that even her uncle donates whenever he can in hopes that another young person facing cancer or another tragedy will get the blood they need to win the fight for their life.
“Well, it defiantly wasn’t what I would have enjoyed doing my highschool years, but I took things with stride,” Wisener commented.
She had to learn how to walk again and then had to learn to integrate back into the normal life of a high schooler. Wisener explained that her grandfather passed away several years, but remembering his strength, the support she had from her family and the gracious donation of blood kept her going through it all. She is now six years in remission.
The Red Cross is currently in need of all blood types. Donations can be given locally at All Saints Episcopal Church on 4th Street in Portsmouth, Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth or at the Kricker Innovation Hub on Chillicothe Street in Portsmouth.
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