Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Kassidy Foster was a level-seven gymnast at Virginia Techniques Gymnastics Center in Christiansburg when doctors discovered something more than an injured knee.
In 2007, her parents were told the energetic 12-year-old had osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer.
For the past 10 years, the gym where Foster practiced has honored her memory with the “Rock Star Invitational Gymnastics Meet.” This year, the event is scheduled for Jan. 19-21 at the Christiansburg Recreation Center.
Cheryl Johnson, a former Virginia Tech gymnast, is the director at Virginia Techniques, and called Kassidy, a great teammate, friend and gymnast.
“She was a healthy gymnast one day and in six short months she was gone. We want her fun-loving spirit and dedication to be remembered and celebrated at the Rock Star Invitational each year,” Johnson said.
Kassidy was nicknamed “Sassy Kassy” and lived up to that name.
“She loved swinging bars, and she was sure to hug her coaches and teammates at the end of practice each night,” Johnson said.
According to the American Cancer Society, each year there are an estimated 1,000 new cases of osteosarcoma, with half being found in children and teens. Most osteosarcomas occur in children and young adults between the ages of 10 and 30.
Foster was a gymnast who practiced as much as 20 hours a week on the mats at Techniques. She had complained of knee pain during a meet in Florida, and her parents had never thought about the diagnosis that would follow.
An orthopedic doctor told them Kassidy probably had injured a ligament in her knee and should do physical therapy. The pain continued and a MRI was ordered. The procedure discovered the osteosarcoma, which had connected itself to the leg femur near the knee. She underwent as much as 40 weeks of chemo.
A short time later, the pain worsened and doctors discovered the tumor had taken over the knee and her right leg had to be amputated. Not the news, an aspiring, young gymnast wanted to hear.
Kassidy would continue the chemo treatment, but nothing seemed to work. In July of 2007, the Make-a-Wish Foundation would send Kassidy and her family on a trip to California where she was treated like a “rock star,” even getting to ride in a limousine.
When she returned from the trip, she began having difficulty breathing. Her parents rushed her to the hospital where she died a short time later.
The American Cancer Society says that osteosarcoma is found usually because of the symptoms they cause. This includes pain and swelling in the affected area, and the pain increases with activity and may result in a limp if the tumor is in the leg bone itself.
Statistics show the prognosis (outlook) for people with osteosarcoma depends on many factors, including the location of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread (metastasized), when it’s found and the person’s age.
Johnson said Kassidy approached her cancer like she approached life and gymnastics “with determination, perseverance and a sassy attitude.”
“She touched doctors, nurses and other patients while inspiring friends, teammates and family. Her faith throughout the fight was unshakable. Kassidy’s Rock Star Invitational is held in memory of our friend, our hero and our champion Kassidy J. Foster,” she said.
This year’s meet will start at 8 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 19 and will continue through Sunday, Jan. 21. On Friday and Saturday, the event is from 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Organizers already have 25 teams participating from throughout the southeast, with many local gymnasts competing as well. Johnson said this will be one of the largest invitational meets ever held in the New River Valley.
Admission for ages six to 12 is $5 per day or $10 for the weekend; 13 and up is $10 a day or $15 for the weekend, and 60 and older pay $5 a day and $10 for the weekend.
For more information, go to www.rockstarinvitational.com.
