By Dotti Keagy, Illinois
Imagine raising a bright young man who was a talented musician and who loved his family and friends. Imagine, discovering a cancerous lump on his knee as a junior in high school, and his determination as he lives out his plans to attend college go undeterred. Then, imagine the unimaginable: losing him at the age of 19.
When Willie Tichenor succumbed to osteosarcoma, a deadly form of bone cancer that mostly attacks adolescents and young adults, his parents, Mac and Lisa Tichenor, Texas, founded their private QuadW (“What Willie Would Want”) Foundation. Through heartbreaking loss, they have been able to contribute millions of dollars in funding for research infrastructure and new talent in the field of sarcoma.
Tri Delta Connection Powers a Cause
From there, an incredible Tri Delta connection among families and sisters paved the way for the creation of the Osteosarcoma Institute (OSI), which funds cutting-edge scientific research and clinical trials in the disease. Three Tri Deltas—Lisa Tichenor, Founder, Mary Katherine Clarke, Texas, Executive Board Member and Trustee, and Vivian Laws, Tennessee, Development Manager—now work together with leading doctors, research scientists and strategists at the OSI.
Lisa and Mary Katherine’s mother were both University of Texas Tri Deltas in the ’70s, and Mary Katherine was not only a family friend, but also Willie’s oldest and closest friend. “Mary Katherine and her Tri Delta friends always walked beside Willie in his osteosarcoma treatments while he was at the University of Texas,” says Lisa. “She has continued the friendship in his memory with his family and friends through the QuadW Foundation and the OSI.”
“I was devastated to see what osteosarcoma did to my friend Willie and discouraged by the lack of treatment options he had towards the end of his life,” adds Mary Katherine. “His parents’ commitment to finding better treatments for patients is awe-inspiring, and it is my honor to continue the fight alongside them.”
St. Jude Completes the Connection
Sixteen years later, this duo completed their Tri Delta connection with the addition of Vivian Laws as the OSI’s new Development Manager. “Since being treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for osteosarcoma at 13, I have been impacted by Tri Delta’s passion and excitement for philanthropy,” recalls Vivian. “While undergoing chemotherapy and surgeries for osteosarcoma, I met many Tri Delta women who encouraged me in my fight.”
“My fight against osteosarcoma has truly come full circle now that I am working alongside two Tri Delta sisters to advance survival rates and treatment options for this disease,” she adds. “I have seen firsthand the power and passion of Tri Delta women to tackle issues that have been deemed hopeless. I know that as we work together against osteosarcoma, there is nothing we can’t accomplish.”
“We have now funded a portfolio of clinical and biology studies and are entering a period of growth as an organization with Vivian’s help,” Mary Katherine adds. “It’s remarkable but also fitting to have three Tri Deltas from different generations taking our philanthropic passion, which started as Tri Delta actives, to the next level!”
To learn more about the Osteosarcoma Institute, go to www.osinst.org. For more information about Willie Tichenor and the QuadW Foundation, visit www.quadw.org.